Voice Control

Google has “popped up” in the SoHo section of downtown Manhattan with a temporary store that is all about experience.   The outpost, called "Made by Google,” is designed as a showcase for the company’s expanding line of electronic devices, and give visitors a chance to try out and experience its latest devices. The store does not sell any products, however. For that, customers will have to shop online or go to Best Buy.  

Hands down, “digital disruption” was the theme of the third annual Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit, held in Rogers, Arkansas. In line with evolving concept itself, there were many definitions of what digital disruption truly means heard throughout the event.  

In what could be a prelude to a retail strategy, Google is doing up a pop-up in the Big Apple.     The temporary outpost, called "Made by Google,” will open in downtown Manhattan, at 96 Spring Street, on Oct. 20, according to a notice on the search giant's website. It’s the same day that Google’s new smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, go on sale nationwide.    

IoT is making it easier for retailers to interact with consumers via connected home-based devices that allow consumers to interact with brands without launching a website or mobile app.

The best known is Amazon Echo, a voice activated device designed with an artificial intelligence assistant app called Alexa. Dedicated sensors in the device connect the consumer’s home to their retailers of choice, allowing, via voice commands, consumers to add items to virtual shopping lists or make online purchases.

New features give Google Home the boost needed to become a valid shopping assistant.   The device, designed to compete with Amazon’s Echo, was introduced at Google’s I/O event in May. However, new functionality was introduced at Google’s media event in Tuesday, reported Internet Retailer.  

A Chicago startup has landed partnerships with four major online retailers, including Target, to launch a product meant to rival Amazon’s Alexa, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Domino’s customers can now place their orders without ever talking to a human.   Starting Sept. 15, Domino’s customers with a “pizza profile” on the chain’s website can place orders via bot-based Facebook Messenger. The pizza chain's in-house team, which created zero-click ordering via Amazon Echo and Apple Watch, also developed Domino's new ordering bot.  

It won’t help you find Pikachu, but a new mobile tool from Macy’s will assist shoppers in navigating the store.   The department store retailer is piloting “Macy’s On Call,” a solution that lets in-store customers use their mobile phones to interact with an artificial intelligence (AI) platform powered by IBM Watson. The Satisfi intelligent engagement platform provides the connection between the mobile tool and the Watson platform.  

Amazon.com has unveiled another new feature for its second iteration of Prime Day, and customer voices will be heard.   The e-tail giant is offering exclusive Prime Day deals for Amazon Prime members who use its Alexa voice-activated artificial intelligence platform through July 12. These offers will be good for eligible shoppers who order products using their voice on Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Amazon Tap devices.  

A lot of attention has been paid to the impact of mobile wallets in the payment technology arena. However, other technologies are also emerging to make payment, among other shopping activities, easier and more efficient. For example, 1-800-Flowers.com is partnering with Amazon.com to make the digital ordering process (including processing and payment) even easier.