HMV launches preowned games app for iOS, Android

UK retailer HMV is offering a free app for your Android phone or iDevice, with a disarmingly charming set of features encouraging you to get in on some trade-in action.

The app, called re/play, allows you to check the value of your old games instantly, as trade-in credit, gift vouchers, or cash.

The bit that's winning me over is you don't even have to type in the title if you're in a rush - just use your phone's camera to scan the barcode. Nifty.

It also includes a store locator, presumably for when you are overcome by the trade-in value of your old games and rush off to capitalise on it, as well as advertising the latest pre-owned offers and deals.

HMV points out that the credit it gives fro trading in old games is actually valid across the store - so you can turn it into CDs, DVDs, devices, clothing, tickets, and - well, whatever they have in shops nowadays.

The retail chain is said to be hoping to encourage awareness among consumers blind to the pre-owned games market.

The re/play app was developed by MoPowered and is available now on iTunes and the Android Marketplace.