News/Retail
Shopify unveils 150+ AI-powered upgrades for merchants
Shopify's latest platform update introduces powerful AI tools, unprecedented design flexibility, and expanded global capabilities to empower e-commerce merchants of all sizes. The Summer '25 Edition represents one of the platform's most comprehensive updates, addressing key pain points for online sellers while positioning Shopify to compete more effectively in an increasingly AI-driven commerce landscape. The 150+ new features focus on reducing technical barriers, enhancing the shopping experience, and simplifying global operations. The big picture: Shopify's Summer '25 Edition delivers over 150 new tools and enhancements designed to help merchants build and grow their businesses with greater ease, flexibility, and customization...
read May 22, 2025These new AI tools put Google at the center of digital convenience
Google's I/O 2025 event spotlights a suite of AI advancements that edge toward science fiction-level convenience in everyday digital interactions. From multimodal assistants that can make phone calls on your behalf to AI-powered browser extensions that transform online tasks, these technologies represent a significant evolution in how humans will interact with computers and the internet. The showcased innovations highlight Google's strategic push to integrate AI more deeply into its ecosystem while addressing complex user needs. 1. Project Astra: Your Universal Personal Assistant Project Astra builds on Google DeepMind's vision of creating a "universal AI agent" capable of understanding and interacting...
read May 22, 2025New Google feature lets shoppers see themselves in outfits before buying them
Google's new AI-powered "try it on" feature transforms online clothes shopping by creating realistic visualizations of how garments would look on users. This virtual fitting room technology addresses a crucial pain point in e-commerce by reducing the uncertainty of online purchases while potentially decreasing costly returns for retailers. The feature represents a significant advancement in making digital shopping more personalized and confidence-inspiring for consumers. How it works: Google's AI shopping feature allows users to virtually try on clothing items through Google Search Labs by uploading a full-length photo of themselves. After enabling the feature in Google Search Labs, users can...
read May 22, 2025Amazon AI summarizes products into audio snippets for shoppers
Amazon is bringing AI-generated audio product overviews to its shopping experience, allowing customers to listen to key features instead of just reading them. This feature represents Amazon's continued push to enhance shopping with AI technologies, similar to its existing AI assistants and review summaries. The audio highlights aim to recreate the in-store experience of having a salesperson explain products, potentially addressing customer pain points around product research. The big picture: Amazon has begun testing AI-powered audio summaries for select products through a new "Hear the highlights" button that lets customers listen to product features instead of reading them. How it...
read May 22, 2025Lenovo showcases AI-powered desktops and monitors for workplaces
Lenovo's latest AI-powered desktop and monitor lineup arrives at a critical moment for business computing, with nearly half of businesses reporting productivity gains from AI-enhanced devices. The new ThinkCentre M Series Gen 6 desktops and ThinkVision T Series Gen 40 monitors represent a significant push into AI-ready enterprise hardware, designed to support increasingly complex workloads while maintaining Lenovo's commitment to sustainability and security. These offerings come as 90 percent of businesses are already exploring or implementing AI-powered PC deployments. The big picture: Lenovo has unveiled AI-enhanced desktop PCs and business monitors designed to support advanced AI workloads while maintaining enterprise-level...
read May 21, 2025Google Pixel Fold drops $300 for Memorial Day sale
Google's latest foldable device, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, delivers significant improvements over its predecessor with a slimmer design and enhanced AI capabilities tailored for larger screens. Priced at $1,799 (though currently available for $300 less), this premium device earns ZDNET's Editors' Choice by successfully balancing portability with the productivity benefits of a tablet-like experience, all while leveraging Google's AI ecosystem to create unique functionality not found on other foldables. The big picture: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold represents Google's refined approach to foldable smartphones with a thinner profile and taller design that opens to reveal an 8-inch internal display....
read May 21, 2025AI shopping tool from Google transforms online retail experience
Google is introducing AI-powered shopping automation that promises to revolutionize how consumers find and purchase products online. Building on its existing shopping features in Search, Google's new AI Mode will not only help users search for products using conversational language but also autonomously complete purchases when items hit a user's target price. This advancement represents a significant step toward fully automated e-commerce experiences, potentially changing how consumers interact with retail websites and online deals. The big picture: Google's new AI-powered shopping feature allows Gemini to autonomously purchase products when they reach a consumer's desired price point, combining AI search capabilities...
read May 21, 2025Google AI brings smarter search, auto-buying, and virtual try-on to online shopping
Google is revolutionizing online shopping with new AI-powered features that solve common consumer pain points. The company's announcement at Google I/O introduces tools that transform product discovery, price optimization, and virtual try-on experiences. These advancements leverage Google's massive Shopping Graph database and custom AI models to create a more personalized, efficient digital shopping journey—potentially disrupting how consumers search for and purchase products online. 1. Google's Shopping Graph gets a major upgrade Google has integrated Gemini AI with its Shopping Graph, which now features over 50 billion product listings from major retailers and independent shops. The system refreshes two billion listings...
read May 14, 2025Perplexity and PayPal team up for seamless checkout experience
Call it "Buy on My Behalf," or...BOMB? Perplexity AI is expanding its capabilities through a new partnership with PayPal that will transform how consumers shop online. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in agentic commerce, where AI assistants don't just recommend products but can complete transactions on users' behalf. The integration will allow millions of PayPal and Venmo users to make purchases directly through Perplexity's interface, potentially reshaping e-commerce by eliminating traditional checkout barriers. The big picture: Perplexity AI has formed a strategic partnership with PayPal to enable direct purchasing capabilities within its chat interface, strengthening its position in the...
read May 13, 2025Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge preorders open with early deals
Samsung's ultra-thin Galaxy S25 Edge is set to launch on May 30, positioning itself as a direct competitor to Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air expected to be announced at WWDC in June. This high-end phone, priced at $1,099.99, represents Samsung's thinnest mobile device ever and joins the well-received S25 lineup, which has garnered praise for its performance, build quality, and display technology, with the S25 Ultra even earning an Editors' Choice award from PCMag. The big picture: Initially teased in January and delayed due to South Korean political unrest, the Galaxy S25 Edge offers premium specifications in an extraordinarily slim...
read May 13, 2025Digital twins are reshaping how stores are designed and experienced
Virtual and augmented reality technologies are transforming retail by enabling digital twins of physical spaces, offering immersive shopping experiences without the limitations of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This evolution represents a significant shift in how consumers interact with products and brands, combining the convenience of e-commerce with the experiential aspects of in-person shopping that many consumers still crave. The big picture: AR/VR and digital twin technologies are addressing fundamental challenges in retail design by creating virtual shopping environments that replicate and enhance the in-store experience. What was once science fiction (like the digital clothing selection system in the 1995 film "Clueless")...
read May 9, 2025How Paradies Lagardère uses AI to support human-centered service
Paradies Lagardère is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operations across its 700+ stores, restaurants, and bars in 90 North American airports. The travel retailer focuses on what it calls "useful technology" rather than novelty, employing AI solutions that work behind the scenes to improve customer experiences while empowering employees to provide better service. This approach demonstrates how established retail businesses can integrate AI strategically without compromising their customer-first philosophy or replacing human workers. The big picture: Paradies Lagardère is implementing AI-driven solutions that enhance operations without disrupting the customer experience or replacing employees. CEO Gregg Paradies emphasizes the company's commitment...
read May 8, 2025AI-powered Anker eufy S350 indoor cam offers 4K tracking for $100
Anker's eufy S350 camera brings 4K dual-use camera technology to indoor security with AI-powered features at a significant discount. This latest addition to the smart home security market combines high-resolution capabilities with intelligent tracking functionality, addressing the growing consumer demand for comprehensive indoor monitoring that goes beyond traditional single-camera setups. The current pricing represents one of the most accessible entry points for premium indoor security cameras with advanced AI capabilities. Key features: The eufy S350 indoor security camera combines dual-camera technology with AI tracking for comprehensive home monitoring. The device integrates both 4K wide-angle and 2K telephoto cameras that work...
read May 8, 2025Amazon slashes price of AI mouse and voice recorder by 40%
Amazon's discounted AI-powered 4-in-1 device transforms the hybrid office experience by combining multiple productivity tools into a single sleek package. As workers return to office settings, this multifunctional peripheral offers versatility that bridges at-home comfort with professional efficiency, representing the growing trend of AI integration into everyday office equipment. The big picture: Amazon has slashed the price of the Cheerdots AI Mouse & Voice Recorder by over 40%, offering the multifunctional productivity tool for $99.99 instead of its regular $169.99 price. Key features: The hybrid device combines four distinct productivity tools into a single wireless accessory. It functions as a...
read May 5, 2025Kraft Heinz leverages AI to transform creative condiment content
Kraft Heinz has transformed its creative content production by implementing an AI-powered system that dramatically accelerates design processes while maintaining brand integrity. TasteMaker, the company's custom-built retrieval-augmented generation engine, enables the food giant to produce personalized marketing materials in hours rather than weeks, representing a fundamental shift in how consumer packaged goods companies can approach creative development and brand management at scale. The big picture: Kraft Heinz developed TasteMaker, a proprietary AI engine built on Google's Vertex AI, to address growing demands for personalized content across its portfolio of over 100 global brands. The system was created in partnership with...
read May 1, 2025Roborock’s AI-powered robot vac hits $1,100 low with pet-friendly features
Roborock's latest AI-powered robotic vacuum represents a significant advancement in home cleaning automation, combining powerful suction capabilities with sophisticated navigation technology and an all-in-one dock system. The substantial $500 discount on this premium cleaning device highlights the growing accessibility of advanced smart home technology, as manufacturers compete to deliver comprehensive autonomous cleaning solutions that address both vacuuming and mopping needs with minimal human intervention. The big picture: Roborock's Qrevo Edge Robot Vacuum and Mop is now available at $1,099.99 shipped, matching the direct brand website pricing and offering a substantial 31% discount from its regular $1,600 price point. Key features:...
read Apr 28, 2025AI boosts SkinCeuticals sales with Appier’s marketing tech
L'Oréal's collaboration with AI company Appier demonstrates how artificial intelligence is transforming beauty e-commerce beyond surface-level applications. Their award-winning implementation for SkinCeuticals' online store showcases how data-driven AI solutions can dramatically improve marketing performance metrics while enhancing customer experiences. This partnership exemplifies the potential of strategic AI deployment to deliver substantial business outcomes in competitive retail environments. The big picture: L'Oréal and Appier's collaboration received recognition at the Loyalty & Engagement Awards Hong Kong 2025 for successfully implementing AI-powered solutions that transformed SkinCeuticals' eShop performance. The partnership leveraged Appier's Ad Cloud and Personalization Cloud to enable a full-funnel, data-driven marketing...
read Apr 28, 2025AI-driven FOMO stalls purchase decisions for smartphone consumers
The current debate over smartphone AI features represents the growing divide between industry hype and practical user value, particularly for consumers outside tech-intensive work environments. As manufacturers integrate more AI capabilities into devices like the upcoming iPhone 16, many users are questioning whether these features justify upgrading, especially when their current devices meet their core communication needs adequately. The big picture: AI features in smartphones remain at an early stage where their utility varies dramatically based on individual lifestyle and professional needs. A MacRumors forum user with a functioning iPhone 12 is weighing whether to upgrade primarily for AI capabilities,...
read Apr 26, 2025AI boosts dropshipping profits: 5 strategies to implement
AI is revolutionizing dropshipping by automating time-consuming tasks and helping entrepreneurs stand out in a competitive market. What began as an accessible entry point into eCommerce has evolved into a sophisticated business model where success depends less on inventory management and more on exceptional customer experience, quality content, and smart marketing—areas where AI tools now provide significant competitive advantages. The big picture: Dropshipping businesses can leverage AI to automate operations, optimize pricing, enhance product listings, and predict market trends without requiring technical expertise. Key applications: AI chatbots deliver 24/7 customer support, resolving issues instantly and improving satisfaction rates. AI-powered tools...
read Apr 24, 2025Motorola’s new Razr phones prioritize AI features
Motorola is betting big on artificial intelligence with its latest foldable smartphone lineup, creating a distinct competitive edge in the crowded mobile market. The company's new Razr, Razr+, and Razr Ultra models feature an expanded ecosystem of AI tools beyond Google's Gemini, including preinstalled Perplexity AI and forthcoming Microsoft Copilot integration—signaling how smartphone manufacturers are increasingly differentiating their products through AI partnerships rather than just hardware specifications. The big picture: Motorola unveiled three new Razr foldable smartphones at a New York City event, with prices ranging from $700 to $1,300 depending on the model. The lineup includes the base Razr...
read Apr 23, 2025Shopify tests ChatGPT as AI-powered personal shopping assistant
ChatGPT is poised to transform from an information provider to a retail gateway with the discovery of code indicating a direct Shopify integration. This potential shift would fundamentally change how consumers interact with AI assistants, positioning OpenAI at the forefront of "agentic commerce" where AI systems not only recommend products but facilitate direct purchases without users ever leaving the platform. The big picture: Code discovered by Testing Catalog reveals ChatGPT is likely preparing to offer in-chat purchases directly through Shopify merchants, creating an embedded shopping experience within the AI interface. The unreleased feature would let users buy products recommended by...
read Apr 22, 2025Budget Windows laptop outperforms MacBook Air in key area
Acer's new Aspire 14 AI laptop combines impressive battery performance with AI capabilities at a mid-range price point of $699. Building on the success of Acer's affordable laptop line, this device offers enhanced hardware specifications while maintaining the brand's commitment to eco-conscious manufacturing. With its powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, substantial memory options, and all-day battery life, the Aspire 14 AI positions itself as a compelling option for remote and hybrid workers seeking performance without premium pricing. The big picture: The Acer Aspire 14 AI stands out in the mid-range laptop market with exceptional battery performance and AI capabilities...
read Apr 17, 2025Windows PC outperforms M4 Mac Mini and costs less
The Minisforum AI X1 Pro mini PC elevates compact computing with impressive specs that challenge Apple's M4 Mac Mini, particularly in AI capabilities and gaming performance. Featuring AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with 80 TOPS of AI performance and up to 96GB of RAM, this Copilot+ PC delivers competitive power in a small form factor. Currently discounted from $1,129 to a starting price of $899, it represents a compelling Windows-based alternative for users seeking high performance computing in minimal desk space. The big picture: Minisforum's new AI X1 Pro mini PC aims to directly compete with Apple's M4...
read Apr 17, 2025Pool boys no more? AI-powered Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra streamlines pool cleaning
The Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra represents a significant advancement in pool cleaning technology, combining AI-powered navigation with multifunctional cleaning capabilities. This smart pool cleaner automates the tedious aspects of pool maintenance through sophisticated sensors, mapping technology, and mobile connectivity—addressing a common pain point for pool owners while showcasing how artificial intelligence is transforming even traditional household maintenance tasks. 1. Comprehensive 5-in-1 Cleaning System The AquaSense 2 Ultra employs a proprietary system that combines clarification (removing small particles), wall and floor cleaning, waterline maintenance, and floating debris collection in a single device. The cleaner automatically adjusts to different pool surfaces including...
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