Shopping meets tech: Walmart now lets customers order groceries through Google Assistant
The assistant is available on devices including iPhones and JBL portable speakers.
By Bloomberg |
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The voice-shopping service comes out of a partnership between the two companies that began in August 2017.
By Matthew Boyle
Walmart Inc. will let customers order groceries by voice through Google’s smart-home assistant, an attempt to counter Amazon.com Inc.’s growing clout in e-commerce.
Beginning this month, Walmart shoppers can add items directly to their online shopping carts by saying “Hey Google, talk to Walmart.” Information from prior purchases will help identify the correct brand and size -- like whether you drink 1 percent or skim milk without having to specify, according to Tom Ward, Walmart’s senior vice president of digital operations. In a blog post Tuesday, he said customers can tweak their orders at home or from their smartphone while on the go.
The voice-shopping service comes out of a partnership between the two companies that began in August 2017, one of several alliances Walmart has made in recent years with technology companies including Microsoft Corp., China’s JD.com and Japan’s Rakuten. But the Walmart-Google pairing hasn’t had much to talk about since then, especially after Walmart withdrew from Google’s shopping platform earlier this year. The voice-shopping service comes out of a partnership between the two companies that began in August 2017. For Alphabet Inc.’s Google, teaming with the world’s largest retailer could help its digital home assistant bridge the gap with Amazon’s Echo device, commonly known as Alexa. It won’t be easy: Amazon controlled 70 percent of the 66 million smart speaker devices installed in the U.S. as of December, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Google Home had just 24 percent.
Both Amazon and Google also face the challenge of convincing consumers to order by voice, which is tricky for perishable items like fresh salmon. Only 4 percent of shoppers use voice assistants for grocery planning, according to research from consultant Bain & Co., a fraction of those who own smart speakers. And those who are interested in voice-based grocery shopping already have other options: Rival Kroger Co. has unveiled voice-shopping capabilities through Google.
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Amazon Wants To Take Over With Redesigned Echo, Smart Clocks, Microwave
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Amazon caused a few gasps at its Alexa event Thursday when it revealed it had 70 things to announce.
The new products give Amazon a greater reach than ever before.
Updates to the internet giant's Alexa-infused Echo smart speakers will allow them to tend to microwave cooking and even have "hunches" regarding what users may want or have forgotten.
Alexa is even developing a personality, complete with a favorite pet or beer.
Here's a round up all of the Alexa-infused products Amazon showcased, including speakers, an in-car device and, a microwave:
Amazon caused a few gasps at its Alexa event Thursday when it revealed it had 70 things to announce. The new products give Amazon a greater reach than ever before. Updates to the internet giant's Ale..
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The revamped Echo Dot has a new look, with rounded edges, and packs more punch, with a 1.6-inch driver delivering 70-per cent-louder audio than the previous model.
The speaker has lower distortion and enhanced bass. It can connect to other speakers and other apps and devices over Bluetooth.
The revamped Echo Dot has a new look, with rounded edges, and packs more punch, with a 1.6-inch driver delivering 70-per cent-louder audio than the previous model. The speaker has lower distortion an..
Read More
If you're craving more low-end tones from your Echo setup, you might consider the Echo Sub.
It delivers down-firing, 100W of bass through its 6-inch woofer, and you can pair it with an Echo or two to create a 2.1 stereo system.
If you're craving more low-end tones from your Echo setup, you might consider the Echo Sub. It delivers down-firing, 100W of bass through its 6-inch woofer, and you can pair it with an Echo or two to..
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Amazon updated its Echo Plus, which includes a smart hub for a range of connected devices.
This time around, it has revamped speakers and a feature called local voice control, which lets you adjust your various smart-home devices even if your internet connection is down.
There's a temperature sensor too, so Echo Plus can tell smart thermostats to turn up the heat when it gets a little chilly.
Amazon updated its Echo Plus, which includes a smart hub for a range of connected devices. This time around, it has revamped speakers and a feature called local voice control, which lets you adjust y..
Read More
Not to be outdone by Chromecast Audio, Amazon has its own audio dongle called Echo Input, including Bluetooth, a microphone and a 3.5mm jack.
It doesn't have a speaker, so you'll need to connect it to your existing audio setup.
Not to be outdone by Chromecast Audio, Amazon has its own audio dongle called Echo Input, including Bluetooth, a microphone and a 3.5mm jack. It doesn't have a speaker, so you'll need to connect it t..
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New arrivals to the Echo lineup this year, Echo Link Amp and Echo Link, are for those who are more particular than most about audio quality.
The former includes a 60W two-channel amplifier with digital and analog connectors. Echo Link, meanwhile, connects to your audio setup to stream high-fidelity music.
New arrivals to the Echo lineup this year, Echo Link Amp and Echo Link, are for those who are more particular than most about audio quality. The former includes a 60W two-channel amplifier with digit..
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Amazon's smart display received an overhaul, as the company beefed up Echo Show with a 10-inch display alongside more powerful speakers and mics.
It has web browsers (Firefox and Amazon's Silk) this time around, along with Skype video chat support and Vevo music videos.
Amazon's smart display received an overhaul, as the company beefed up Echo Show with a 10-inch display alongside more powerful speakers and mics. It has web browsers (Firefox and Amazon's Silk) this ..
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Amazon is dipping into the DVR game this year with Fire TV Recast.
It works with over-the-air networks using an antenna and will send live TV or recorded shows to Fire tablets, Fire TV, Echo Show or mobile devices. And, of course, you can use Alexa to control it.
Amazon is dipping into the DVR game this year with Fire TV Recast. It works with over-the-air networks using an antenna and will send live TV or recorded shows to Fire tablets, Fire TV, Echo Show or ..
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It probably shouldn't come as a surprise that Amazon wants to put Alexa in your car, even if you don't have a fancy dashboard infotainment system.
Enter Echo Auto. It's a dongle that connects to your audio system and uses a phone's cell connection (because you need internet access for Alexa to work).
Along with the conversational assistance you'd expect with Alexa, you can use Echo Auto for directions.
It probably shouldn't come as a surprise that Amazon wants to put Alexa in your car, even if you don't have a fancy dashboard infotainment system.Enter Echo Auto. It's a dongle that connects to your ..
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Amazon has found a way to connect Alexa to pretty much any wall-powered device using its Smart Plugs.
Once you've linked them to an Echo or the Alexa app, you can turn devices on and off, or set timers.
Amazon has found a way to connect Alexa to pretty much any wall-powered device using its Smart Plugs. Once you've linked them to an Echo or the Alexa app, you can turn devices on and off, or set time..
Google’s home assistant is available on devices including iPhones and JBL portable speakers, Walmart said. The retailer will also expand the service to other platforms in the coming months, it said, a signal that it may be working with Apple Inc. Walmart declined to identify other potential partners.
“We’re kicking off the work with Google, adding others to the mix as time goes on,” Ward said.
