E-commerce leader Amazon just launched a brand-new device that will transform your house into a smart home and it’s definitely not a joke. The innovation, called Dash Button is designed to be placed around the house and will be used for one-click orders of consumables such as washing detergent or printer ink.
With Amazon Echo, the smart speaker/digital assistant, the retailer looked at the new horizons of smart environments and the exciting promise of the Internet of things. But now, it is introducing the future of shopping – or at least, a very probable version of it. The Dash Button, its latest invention, is essentially a physical button that you put around your home. It allows you to order an item from Amazon by simply pressing a button. The futuristic, battery-powered gadget is tied to specific items. Users can keep it in the laundry or even stick it to the washing machine and when they notice they are running out of detergent, they will simply push it and the order will be made. Or they place it around or in the bathroom, so they can easily get new paper rolls, Gillette razors, soap, and so on.
How does it work?
The Amazon Dash Button is Wi-Fi enabled, so it connects directly to your phone and the Amazon app. Then a single press will place your order and the retailer will send an alert to your phone, so you can cancel the purchase in the first 30 minutes if you change your mind. Also, you won’t worry if you accidentally press the button multiple times – Amazon will process only one delivery. You will also be able to choose the amounts of products you want in one purchase, so it’s not only easy and fast, but also quite convenient way to shop.
What products can it be used with?
Currently, the Dash Button can be used with only selected products in several categories – home and kitchen, health and personal care, baby formula, grocery and gourmet food, pet, beauty and several others. However, there are over 200 products, so the choice is not so limited after all.
How much does it cost?
Sadly, the Amazon Dash Button is available only for selected Prime members who got an invitation from the retailer. They are able to get up to three devices – for free. And the option is available only in the United States. So, in general, the introduction of the button is a trial for now.
The Dash Replenishment Service (DRS)
This is a cloud-based service, which will debut this fall as a B2B initiative. It will allow manufacturers of devices that use consumables such as washing machines and coffee makers to build in sensors. These sensors will know when you’re the running low. For example, your water pitcher will have a sensor that will measure usage and will be able to connect to Amazon and order water filters. So, end users will not only be able to order consumables at a single press of a button, but they will have their devices do that on their own.
Exclusive or not, the Dash cloud-based service and physical button may be the future of shopping, shaping our places into new and smarter homes.
