Notify: A Novel Location-Based Shopping Reminder App

Abstract

The escalating reliance on mobile technologies has revolutionized the management of daily tasks, yet traditional tools such as note-taking and task-list applications frequently fall short in delivering contextually relevant support, partic- ularly for shopping activities. Cognitive overload, exacerbated by the absence of geospatial intelligence in these tools, often leads to overlooked purchases despite proximity to pertinent retail locations. This paper introduces an innovative solution through the development of an advanced, location-aware mobile application that harnesses geo-fencing[1] technology to provide sophisticated, context-driven shopping reminders. By analyzing user mobility patterns, the application delivers precise location- specific, store-targeted notifications, thereby optimizing efficiency and alleviating mental burden. This research addresses the defi- ciencies of current commercial solutions by introducing a user- oriented framework for geospatial task management, ultimately transforming the shopping experience within an increasingly mobile and fast-paced global context.

Introduction

The text discusses the challenges people face in remembering necessary but non-urgent shopping tasks despite using digital reminders, mainly due to the lack of context-aware, location-based alerts. Conventional apps don’t adapt to users’ proximity to stores, leading to forgotten purchases. Geo-fencing technology offers a promising solution by creating virtual boundaries that trigger notifications when users enter specific areas.

The study introduces Notify, a mobile app that uses geo-fencing combined with user-defined shopping lists linked to particular stores. Notify tracks user location in real-time and sends timely, store-specific reminders when users approach designated shops, reducing cognitive overload and improving shopping efficiency.

Existing apps like Google Keep and others have limitations such as inconsistent location triggers or lack of item-specific reminders. Previous research has applied geo-fencing in workforce management and marketing but lacks user-centric, shopping-specific functionality.

Notify’s system design follows an MVC architecture with a data layer managing shops and items, a service layer handling geolocation and notification logic, and a user interface that allows easy input and management of shopping tasks and locations. It uses OpenStreetMap APIs for location data, employs a 500-meter geo-fence radius, and includes mechanisms to prevent notification fatigue.

Tests of Notify demonstrate its effectiveness in delivering precise, actionable reminders. Future improvements include background location tracking, snooze options, and item checklists to further enhance usability.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. G. Madhusudan, Saakshi . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.