Voice Control

Retailers are keeping up with omnichannel consumer demand behind the scenes.

According to a new survey of distribution center operators from Honeywell and YouGov, nearly nine in 10 distribution center operators expect to adopt new mobile devices and voice-direction technology in the next five years to meet omnichannel consumer expectations of faster, more accurate delivery.

No matter how good a retailer’s seamless experience is, without the correct product it falls apart.

Sears Holding Corp. is trying to ensure the right products are picked for the right customers with new Honeywell Vocollect voice-directed picking solutions. The retailer is working with Speech Interface Design (SID) to implement the solutions in two of its regional specialty distribution centers (RSCs) and its largest retail distribution center (RDC) in the coming months.

Usually retailers are not pleased when hackers get into their systems, but Walmart Stores Inc. is very happy with three hackers in particular. Walmart will test a new SMS-based customer service tool that won a recent Walmart Labs-sponsored “hackathon.”

Seattle — Amazon.com is heating up its selection of consumer devices and digital content. The online retailer is releasing several new Amazon Fire tablet and TV devices, and also introducing a new free digital content service called Amazon Underground.

A week after Apple announced its Apple TV live video streaming set-top box device, Amazon is introducing Apple Fire, a similar live video streaming device that will cost $99 ($50 less than the $149 starting price for Apple TV) and offer similar features such as voice-enable remote control.

This year’s annual fall Apple event did not offer retailers anything quite as dramatic as last year’s introduction of Apple Pay and Apple Watch. However, there were still a few announcements with potential impact on the omnichannel landscape.

TV, or Not TV

San Francisco -- Come October, consumers will be able to buy clothing and other goods on their Apple TV.

In its never-ending quest to wind its way deeper into people’s homes, Apple Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a new version of its Apple TV, the set-top box device that lets viewers stream live video through such sources as Netflix and Hulu. In the most talked-about update, the device will now come with its own App Store, featuring apps for TV and video viewing, games, sports — and shopping.

For decades, buying and installing phone systems in retail stores has remained a mundane experience. Times have changed.

Seattle – Amazon.com is releasing its Echo voice-activated artificial intelligence device for general availability in July, and taking consumer orders now. Echo was made available on an invitation basis to customers who wanted to help shape the device in November 2014.

Alibaba wants to put a robot, specifically one named Pepper, in your home — or store.