1. A method comprising: capturing an image of a physical object via a mobile user device; in response to a user input at the mobile user device, determining by the mobile device a representation of the physical object shown in the image, the representation indicating at least one visual characteristic of a color, a texture, a pattern, or a combination thereof associated with the object; independently comparing by the mobile device the representation to one or more reference representations on a basis of the at least one visual characteristic; independently selecting by the mobile device one of the one or more of reference representations based on the comparison without user intervention; and in response to a subsequent user input at the mobile user device, displaying and recommending at the mobile user device one or more physical items for purchase and consumption by a user of the mobile user device, wherein the one or more physical items are shown in the one reference representation, classified in one or more product categories different from a product category of the physical object, and recommended based on the at least one visual characteristic of the physical items.