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Need A Hand With Holiday Shopping? There Are Apps For That

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- More people are shopping with a smartphone this holiday season than ever before and CNet technology editor Bridget Carey has some tips on the new apps that can save time and money.

As CBS 2's Marie Hall reported Tuesday, smartphone apps have become a commonly used tool while out shopping.

Shopular and other similar apps alert you about deals at nearby stores, allowing you to redeem coupons right at the register.

By using a bar code scanner, Shop Savvy and Red Laser apps can help you make sure you're getting the best price on a product.

"I point my camera at the bar code itself, without any effort it scans it and I can see what the other price is at other retailers," Carey said.

If you find it cheaper at another store or even online, many major retailers, including Best Buy and Target, will match the price at the register, Hall reported.

The Return Guru app will help you keep tabs on your return policy for any given purchase and alert you when the return is about to expire.

And if you're tired of carrying all of your store loyalty cards in your wallet, there's an app for that, too. The Keyring app allows you to scan loyalty cards into your phone for easy access.

Sixty percent of smartphone users are expected to use their devices to help them find the best deals this gift giving season, Hall reported. It is also believed that about 6 in 10 tablet owners will use their device to look up information pertaining to products, as well as compare prices.

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