Voice Control

From mobile wallets to QR codes to apps, Macy's is making all the right moves

Mobility is sure to play an increasingly important role in Macy's omnichannel future, both in commerce and marketing. But don't look for the company to take a cookie-cutter approach.

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. — Lowe’s is teaming up with American Water Heaters to offer homeowners the ability to remotely control their water heaters from their smart phones or tablets.

Iris is Lowe's exclusive smart home solution allows homeowners to monitor and control virtually everything in the home, including Energy Smart electric water heaters, which will feature Iris-compatible control modules. Homeowners can use the controls to set water temperatures and select operating modes, including the "Vacation" mode.

Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G), a motion-activated screwdriver that controls variable speed and direction. The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control.

With the screwdriver’s gyroscopic technology, users only need to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

Not too long ago, I interviewed Christy Parra, who is the logistics director for The Container Store. The interview was for an article on the company’s deployment of a voice-directed picking system in its distribution center. But what struck me throughout our discussion was the context in which Parra framed the new technology: It had as much to do with the employees as it did efficiencies and cost savings.

The Container Store credits its “employees-first” culture as integral to its success, believing that if you make employees your highest priority, they in turn will take better care of customers. It’s a business model that extends to all facets of the chain’s operations — including the decision to deploy a voice-directed warehouse picking system.

Pittsburgh -- Lucas Systems, a provider of voice directed warehouse applications, announced that The Container Store has installed Jennifer VoicePlus for voice picking in the retailer’s Dallas- area, 1.1 million-sq.-ft. distribution center.

New York City -- Canadian department store retailer The Bay is testing a virtual greeter at its Toronto flagship, according to the Globe & Mail.

The greeter, a life-like digital image of a female that is projected on a glass panel, is located near an interactive display of high-end gifts on the main floor. Named Anna, the image is prompted by sensors in the ceiling to start talking when customers approach.

The system was developed by 4D Retail Technology Corp., according to the report.

By Steven Kramer, [email protected]

Sporting a physical design identical to the iPhone 4 and a total lack of expected features, initial reactions to the iPhone 4S were that it hardly seemed capable of living up to Apple’s claim as “the most amazing iPhone yet”.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Walmart announced that its Vudu entertainment service is now available Xbox 360. Xbox LIVE customers can now shop Vudu’s library using new, interactive features such as voice search, voice control and Kinect gesture commands to rent or own the latest Hollywood hits, TV shows, cinema classics and independent gems in standard or high definition, the company said.

As an incentive to get customers to try Vudu on Xbox, Walmart announced that Vudu is offering a $4.99 credit toward their first rental or purchase. 

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Panasonic announced the launch of the LUMIX FX78. This digital camera, which is part of the LUMIX FX series, features a new Smart Touch operation on the large 3.5-inch 16:9 aspect LCD, allowing for intuitive touch operation, including Touch AF, Touch Zoom, Touch Shutter and Touch Playback, the company reported. The LUMIX FX78 also incorporates a new LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT, 24mm ultra-wide angle lens that has a 5x optical zoom with F2.5 aperture.