News/Retail
Future workouts advance as Peloton unveils AI-powered fitness machines
Peloton has unveiled its 2025 Cross Training series, featuring five updated fitness machines with AI-powered coaching through Peloton IQ, rotating screens, and integrated movement-tracking cameras. The comprehensive overhaul represents the company's attempt to reinvent itself following last year's staff cuts and leadership changes, though it comes with significantly higher price points and increased subscription costs. What you should know: The Cross Training lineup includes upgraded Bike, Bike+, Tread, Tread+, and Row+ models, all featuring screens that rotate away from the equipment for versatility. The plus models feature 23.8-inch displays, while base models have 21.5-inch screens that can pivot for cross-discipline...
read Sep 30, 2025Bit Gulp: Seven-Eleven Japan to deploy AI humanoid robots in stores by 2029
Seven-Eleven Japan and Telexistence have announced a partnership to develop and deploy humanoid robots powered by generative AI in convenience stores, with commercial rollout planned for 2029. The collaboration aims to address Japan's severe labor shortages while transforming retail operations through "Astra," a humanoid robot equipped with Vision-Language-Action foundation models that can handle routine store tasks. What you should know: The partnership combines Seven-Eleven's massive retail footprint with Telexistence's robotics expertise to create practical AI-powered humanoids for commercial deployment. Astra robots will be designed to handle routine in-store operations, allowing human employees to focus on customer service tasks that require...
read Sep 30, 2025AI in the Chi: Serve Robotics launches autonomous sidewalk delivery in 14 Chicago neighborhoods
Serve Robotics has launched its autonomous sidewalk delivery robots in Chicago through its partnership with Uber Eats, marking the company's first expansion into the Midwest. The rollout spans 14 neighborhoods and brings contact-free delivery from over 100 restaurants to hundreds of thousands of Chicago households, representing a significant milestone in Serve's goal to deploy 2,000 AI-powered delivery robots across the US by the end of 2025. What you should know: Chicago becomes Serve Robotics' fifth major market, following successful deployments in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta. The service launches across 14 Chicago neighborhoods including Austin, Belmont Cragin, Dunning,...
read Sep 30, 2025Amazon unveils AI-powered Kindle, Ring, and Echo devices starting at $99
Amazon unveiled a new generation of AI-powered devices including Kindle, Ring, and Echo products, all connected to its enhanced Alexa+ personal assistant that debuted in February. The announcement represents Amazon's response to investor pressure to modernize its device lineup with artificial intelligence capabilities, as analysts noted the company's offerings were starting to look "a bit dated" compared to competitors. Key product updates: Amazon introduced significant improvements across its major device categories with AI integration at the center. Ring cameras now feature "Familiar Faces" facial recognition that allows users to register friends and family, plus "AI Search" functionality for finding specific...
read Sep 30, 2025Where’s Mittens? Ring launches 4K cameras with AI-powered lost pet tracking
Ring has unveiled its most advanced security camera lineup to date, featuring the company's first-ever 4K cameras alongside two 2K models, all powered by AI technology for enhanced home security. The seven new devices introduce features like AI-powered lost pet tracking and Alexa+ integration that can interact with visitors on behalf of homeowners, marking a significant leap in smart home security capabilities. What you should know: Ring's new cameras feature "Retinal Vision" technology that optimizes every step of the imaging process with AI tuning for more realistic video quality. The system delivers 10x zoom and improved low-light performance, capturing details...
read Sep 26, 2025LG’s TV for senior citizens costs $127 more but misses core usability issues
LG has launched the Easy TV in South Korea, targeting senior citizens with a $1,964 65-inch smart TV that includes a simplified remote and adjusted interface features. The device represents LG's attempt to create a dedicated "senior TV market," though it comes with a significant price premium over the standard model it's based on and includes questionable additions like an AI button. What you should know: The Easy TV is essentially LG's existing QNED85A model with senior-focused modifications and a $127 markup.• The 65-inch version costs 2,769,000 won (about $1,964) compared to 2,590,000 won ($1,837) for the standard model.• LG...
read Sep 26, 2025American Express AI tool helps 5,000 travel agents handle complex requests
American Express has deployed generative AI and machine learning across its customer support operations, with its Travel Counselor Assist tool now serving all 5,000 travel counselors across 19 markets. The credit card company credits these AI implementations with improving customer experiences, reducing call times, and increasing travel bookings while boosting its Net Promoter Score. What you should know: American Express has rolled out two major AI-driven customer service initiatives that leverage both traditional machine learning and generative AI. The first project, launched in 2022, uses machine learning to measure customer sentiment on telephone calls with about 12,900 support agents across...
read Sep 25, 2025iOS 18 uses Apple Intelligence to fix Wallet’s broken order tracking
iOS 18 has transformed Apple Wallet's long-struggling order tracking feature by leveraging Apple Intelligence to automatically extract purchase details from confirmation emails. This AI-powered enhancement finally delivers on the original promise of creating a centralized hub for all online purchases, addressing years of limited merchant adoption that had rendered the feature largely useless for most users. What you should know: Apple Wallet's order tracking feature, introduced in iOS 16, has been significantly underutilized due to poor merchant support until now. The feature required individual merchants to integrate with Apple's system, which few bothered to do despite being available for years....
read Sep 25, 2025“Ready to (give me an) order?” Georgia startup deploys service robots at Mexican restaurant
Alpharetta-based To Do Robotics is deploying service robots at El Porton Mexican Restaurant in Roswell, where the machines guide diners to tables and deliver meals directly from the kitchen. The technology represents founder Marianela Naninga's effort to bring automated hospitality solutions she first encountered in Seoul to American restaurants, hotels, and healthcare facilities. What you should know: The robots handle specific restaurant tasks while working alongside human servers rather than replacing them.• Servers load food into compartments on the robots, which are programmed to navigate directly to designated tables.• The machines can store table locations in their memory and operate...
read Sep 25, 2025Robosen debuts retrofuturistic, programmable Disney character robots
Robosen Robotics has unveiled a collection of programmable Disney and Pixar character robots that bridge the gap between childhood nostalgia and cutting-edge technology. The company, a leader in consumer robotics with 15 years of development experience, is launching what it calls the world's first modular smart toy platform—essentially transforming beloved animated characters into interactive, programmable companions. Available for pre-order starting September 25, the collection features characters from Toy Story and WALL-E, each equipped with precision engineering that enables authentic movements, character voices, and programmable behaviors. This represents a significant evolution from traditional action figures, offering users the ability to create...
read Sep 24, 2025Meta opens eye-popping pop-up shops in 3 cities for $799 smart glasses
Meta is launching pop-up shops in three major cities to showcase its upcoming smart glasses with display technology, including the $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses set to release September 30th. The retail expansion aims to give consumers hands-on experience with Meta's growing lineup of smart eyewear and VR hardware ahead of the holiday shopping season. What you should know: Meta Lab pop-up shops will open in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York between October and November 2024. The Las Vegas location at Wynn Las Vegas opens October 16th. The Los Angeles shop on Melrose Avenue reopens October 24th, expanding to...
read Sep 23, 2025GoPro’s new $230 AI gimbal offers 18-hour battery life and universal compatibility
GoPro has announced the Fluid Pro AI, a new $229.99 handheld camera stabilizer that works with action cameras, smartphones, and compact point-and-shoot cameras up to 400 grams. Unlike the company's previous Karma Grip stabilizer from 2016, which only worked with GoPro devices, this versatile gimbal features AI-powered tracking and an 18-hour battery life, positioning it as a premium alternative to competitors like DJI and Insta360. Key capabilities: The Fluid Pro AI offers comprehensive camera movement with 360-degree panning and 320-degree tilting capabilities.• An integrated AI tracking module recognizes hand gestures for remote control and automatically keeps subjects in frame by...
read Sep 23, 2025TikTok AI suggests shopping items on…Gaza war footage
TikTok is tagging videos from Gaza with AI-powered product recommendations, matching items visible in war footage with shop listings. The algorithm has been suggesting clothing items like "Dubai Middle East Turkish Elegant Lace-Up Dress" on videos showing Palestinian women searching for family members amidst rubble, highlighting the platform's failure to consider appropriate contexts for its new shopping feature. How it works: TikTok's new AI tool automatically scans video content to identify objects and suggest similar products from its shop.• When users pause a video, the system displays a "Find Similar" pop-up with product recommendations that match visible items in the...
read Sep 19, 2025Walmart deploys AI “super agents” across $815B retail empire
Walmart is implementing a comprehensive "super agents" strategy built on agentic AI, deploying autonomous systems across operations for associates, developers, customers, and suppliers. The $815 billion retail giant's unified framework represents a significant evolution from its existing AI infrastructure, positioning the company to maintain its dominance as the world's largest retailer through advanced automation and personalized experiences. What you should know: Walmart's agentic AI strategy centers on four specialized "super agents" designed to operate with minimal human intervention across key business areas. The Associate Agent handles HR inquiries and workforce management, while the Developer Agent assists software teams with coding,...
read Sep 19, 2025AI agent adoption by big biz surges 119% as companies embrace autonomous systems
Salesforce's new Agentic Enterprise Index reveals that AI agent adoption among leading companies surged 119% in the first half of 2025, with consumer-facing industries like retail, travel, and financial services driving the fastest growth. The data shows businesses are rapidly transitioning to what Salesforce calls "agentic enterprises"—organizations where autonomous AI agents work alongside humans to execute complex business processes independently. What you should know: The shift toward AI agents represents a fundamental change in how businesses operate, moving beyond simple automation to systems that can reason, plan, and adapt. Employee interactions with AI agents grew at an average monthly rate...
read Sep 19, 2025Mary Kay unveils AI foundation tool that scans faces for a match, with 50+ shades with which to play
Mary Kay has launched an AI-powered Foundation Finder tool that uses facial scanning technology to help customers select the perfect foundation shade through their smartphone cameras. The service represents the iconic beauty brand's strategic push to attract younger, digitally-native consumers while maintaining its traditional consultant-based business model in an increasingly competitive cosmetics market. What you should know: The AI Foundation Finder analyzes approximately 150 facial data points to recommend the best foundation match from over 50 available shades across two finishes. Users can access the tool directly through marykay.com without downloading a separate app, making it accessible across devices. Early...
read Sep 18, 2025Meta’s $799 Ray-Ban Display glasses add screens to smart eyewear
Meta has unveiled its Ray-Ban Display glasses, featuring a tiny screen inside the lens that allows users to read messages, view photos, and get directions without looking at their phones. Priced at $799 and launching September 30 in limited US stores, the glasses represent Meta's latest push into AI-powered wearables and a significant step toward mainstream augmented reality adoption. What you should know: The Display glasses build on Meta's existing smart glasses line by adding visual feedback through a small display in the right lens corner. Unlike previous audio-only versions, users can now see text messages, Instagram Reels, maps, and...
read Sep 17, 2025Personal refuting: US PC shipments fall 1.4%, though business spend rises
US PC shipments fell 1.4% year-over-year to 18.6 million units in Q2 2025 as vendors cleared excess inventory, though commercial sales grew 4% while consumer demand remained weak. The decline comes as businesses rush to upgrade systems ahead of Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support deadline in October 2025, with analysts predicting modest 3% annual growth through 2026 driven by AI-capable PC adoption and the Windows 11 transition. What you should know: The PC market slowdown was largely anticipated as vendors worked through inventory stockpiled earlier to avoid potential tariff exposure. Commercial sector growth of 4% offset declining consumer demand, with businesses...
read Sep 17, 2025Walmart’s 98% automated distribution centers use AI to cut food waste
Walmart has deployed AI-powered distribution centers across multiple states to optimize fresh food inventory management and reduce waste that erodes profit margins. The retail giant's automated facilities use machine learning algorithms to predict demand by analyzing external factors like weather patterns and sporting events, moving beyond traditional sales-based forecasting to create more strategic pricing and inventory decisions. What you should know: Walmart's high-tech distribution centers represent a significant shift from traditional inventory management to AI-driven supply chain optimization. Over the past four years, Walmart has constructed automated grocery distribution centers in California, South Carolina, and Texas that use robotics and...
read Sep 11, 202547% of retail brands now use AI daily for business operations
Nearly half of retail brands now use artificial intelligence daily or weekly, marking a shift from experimental projects to embedded business operations, according to Amperity's 2025 State of AI in Retail survey. This mainstream adoption reflects retailers' focus on measurable outcomes like revenue growth, customer loyalty, and operational efficiency, with 97 percent planning to maintain or increase their AI investments this year. What you should know: AI integration is becoming seamless across retail operations, from customer data management to personalized marketing campaigns. "We have AI embedded across many parts of the business, which makes it feel seamless rather than experimental,"...
read Sep 11, 2025Anker’s eufy E30 4K security camera now $20 off at $49.98
Anker's eufy E30 Indoor Cam is now available for $49.98 through Amazon, down from its usual $70 price tag. The budget-friendly security camera offers 4K resolution, 360-degree panoramic views, and AI-powered tracking capabilities, making it an attractive option for households monitoring children, pets, or general home security without ongoing subscription fees. Key features: The E30 delivers comprehensive home monitoring with advanced capabilities typically found in higher-end models. 4K Ultra-Clear recording: Provides crystal-clear 24/7 recording with built-in two-way audio for real-time communication with family members or pets. 360-degree panoramic view: Users can navigate their home's view through new app features like...
read Sep 11, 2025Hotels now need to win over both humans and AI agents, says study
Artificial intelligence agents are reshaping how hotels must approach customer loyalty, moving beyond traditional brand awareness to algorithmic optimization, according to new research from Florida Atlantic University. The study reveals that as AI agents increasingly handle travel bookings on behalf of consumers, hotels face a fundamental shift from winning human hearts to earning the trust of algorithms that filter and recommend options. What you should know: Hotels must now design loyalty strategies that appeal to both human guests and the AI systems making decisions for them. Traditional marketing approaches like emotional branding and search engine optimization are becoming insufficient as...
read Sep 10, 2025AI’s art of the deal: CarEdge’s negotiator saves buyers $1K+ by handling dealership talks
Zach Shefska, the 30-year-old CEO of CarEdge, claims his company's AI negotiator can save car buyers thousands of dollars by handling dealership negotiations without human involvement. Since launching in July, the AI system has helped over 2,000 paying customers navigate the traditionally stressful car-buying process while keeping their personal information completely private. How it works: CarEdge's AI creates anonymous email addresses and phone numbers to contact dealerships directly on behalf of customers. The system is built on large language models enhanced with CarEdge's proprietary market insights and negotiation training from six years of pricing data across hundreds of thousands of...
read Sep 10, 2025Acer’s €4,499 Predator Helios 18P blends gaming with AI workstation features
Acer has unveiled the Predator Helios 18P AI at IFA 2025, a gaming laptop that incorporates enterprise-grade features like ECC memory and Intel vPro processors typically found in professional workstations. This hybrid approach creates an unusual proposition where gamers may pay premium workstation prices for hardware that could actually deliver slower gaming performance than traditional gaming laptops with standard components. The big picture: Acer appears to be testing whether the market will embrace a single machine that serves both gaming and professional AI workstation needs, blurring traditional product category lines. Key specifications: The Predator Helios 18P AI maintains aggressive gaming...
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