On The Web

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Companies

Walmart Unveils Voice-Activated, Google-Powered Grocery Shopping

April 2 2019

• in
• Voice interface
• Walmart

“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 […]

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Tech

Bank of America’s Erica Virtual Assistant Surpasses 6M Users

March 25 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“Erica, the AI-driven digital banking chatbot from Bank of America, has surpassed six million users, according to a press release. The bank said that more than 35 million requests have been processed through the virtual assistant since its debut in 2018.”

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Tech

How to Monetise: The Next Big Thing for Voice Assistants

March 22 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“Voice assistants continue to gain momentum, but there’s still little clarity around how this new interface affects the brand-consumer relationship, and how brands need to reposition themselves in light of this. With strong chances of more growth on the horizon, stakeholders in voice tech are having to consider questions that underline its durability and monetisation […]

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Companies

Amazon ditches Dash Buttons as Mobile and Voice Commerce Take Over

March 1 2019

• in
• Amazon
• Voice interface

“Amazon will stop selling the buttons from the end of February and, while those that have them can continue to use them, anyone wanting to buy one now is out of luck. Amazon said: “We’ve seen customers increasingly using programs like Alexa Shopping, which provides a hands free shopping experience, and Subscribe & Save, which lets […]

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Tech

Alibaba Will Let You Find Restaurants and Order Food With Voice in a Car

April 16 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“On Tuesday, Alibaba announced at the annual Shanghai Auto Show that it’s developing apps for connected cars that will let drivers find restaurants, queue up and make reservations at restaurants, order food and eventually complete a plethora of other tasks using voice, motion or touch control. Third-party developers are invited to make their in-car apps, […]

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Tech

Alexa In-skill Purchasing, Which Lets Developers Make Money From Voice Apps, Launches Internationally

May 1 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“A year after Amazon opened up in-skill purchasing to all Alexa developers in the U.S., the company is launching the service internationally. Initially, the capability will roll out to developers in the U.K., Germany and Japan, and then developers elsewhere in the world. With in-skill purchasing, developers are able to generate revenue from voice apps […]

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Tech

Alexa, How Can I Fly to Mumbai?

June 20 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“Airlines are concerned that Amazon’s quiet launch of domestic plane ticket sales in India last month is only the start of a global trend and the beginning of a battle for control of valuable traveller data. For years, airlines have found it difficult to compete with online travel agencies like Expedia Group Inc and corporate […]

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Tech

Mastercard Priceless Experiences: Voice is the next frontier

June 17 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“Cardholders looking for memorable experiences while holidaying or want a special encounter closer to home can now access experiences through Mastercard’s Alexa-enabled or Google smart speaker, as well as through Priceless.com. The voice assistant will be available later this summer. Cardholders will be able to hear about a wide variety of experiences available in cities. These include New […]

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Tech

‘A New Era in Commerce’: Amazon Pay VP Says Voice Payments Potential Is ‘Phenomenal’

June 5 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“On Tuesday, Gautheir said Amazon Pay’s latest research had found that roughly 40% of consumers think smart assistants would be used in some part of their shopping journey over the next three years. To be sure, the data recognizes that consumers could use their voice at any point on the path to purchase, not just […]

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Tech

Hey Google, Lend Me a Tenner? NatWest Trials Voice Banking

August 12 2019

• in
• Voice interface

“Get ready to say: “Hey Google. How much do I have in my bank account?” NatWest is to begin voice-only banking that will give customers direct access to their accounts by talking to the Google Home smart speakers now in millions of British homes. The trial – the first by a UK high street bank […]