4 ms·

I see absolutely no reason why this couldn't have been a mobile app with a bar code scanner and voice recognition...

by ngoel36 13y ago

ztratar 13y ago
Looks like there is also a mobile app. I bet they built custom hardware for a couple reasons: 1. Custom hardware sitting around reminds you of Amazon and your ability to order. Having a new device feels more futuristic, which does seem logically odd. 2. Durability. While cooking etc, you dont' want to touch your phone. This looks very easy to clean/throw around. 3. Barcode scanner speed. Apps with cameras are much, much slower at recognizing barcodes than this. This removes a lot of interface. Just scan it and you're done -- no hassle switching apps, holding the camera just right, etc. I bet this feels more natural.
rb2k_ 13y ago
Probably because nobody wants to use mobile apps with bar code scanners. Related: http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/
- Cyph0n 13y ago
  Genius. I've always wondered how many people actually take the time to scan QR codes on posters and such. I mean, don't companies track QR code scan-through rates?
- chintanp 13y ago
  No posts on above tumblr as of now.
  - teach 13y ago
    (That's the joke.)
- ChuckMcM 13y ago
  Which is the conventional wisdom (no one scans anything) but its not actually correct. I've done some QR tests which have picked up hits (not huge mind you but non-zero). There was also the story of the guy[1], on Sharktank, where one of his props was a QR code and he picked up customers who scanned it (from their TV) while watching the show. It isn't common, that is for sure. And the bar code folks don't make it easy for folks. Simply publishing the bar code database would be a huge 'win' for barcode adoption. [1] http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/04/how-a-startup-accidentally-hacked-shark-tank-with-a-qr-code/?source=gravity http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/04/how-a-startup-accidentally-...
  - Cyph0n 13y ago
    Interesting. Thanks for the link.
pisarzp 13y ago
I see one - convenience. It takes much longer to unlock phone, open app, than scan instead of just scanning. Also probably easier to use by multiple users (kids might not have smartphones)
toomuchtodo 13y ago
I won't cry over breaking this vs my $600 smartphone in the kitchen. I had to clean my wife's phone off just a day ago, as she was using it while baking and it was covered in flour.
hk__2 13y ago
I guess it’s easier to scan with a dedicated device than with a mobile phone (“scan, scan, scan” vs. “open the app, take a picture, let it scan, take another picture, let it scan, etc”), plus you only need one device at home everybody can use without having to take your/their phone.
sliverstorm 13y ago
It sounds like they are gunning for it to be an "appliance" of sorts. The same way very few people actually use cell phones as TV remotes, even though the software is out there.
leonhandreke 13y ago
In my experience, the camera takes too long to focus to really be practical for scanning many items. Also, it's marketed as a multi-user device, which a smartphone is not.
Haywain 13y ago
This product keeps your personal Amazon shopping account out of the hands of the rest of your family. With Dash, it seems, your 7 year old can add items to your shopping list without being able to Checkout... or, your wife can add items to your weekly grocery list without seeing what you've got in your shopping cart for your upcoming anniversary. It gives everyone "Add" ability without having to log them into an Amazon account on everyone's smartphone. Though... I guess this could be solved with a token... but in general the more I think about it, the more it seems to be considered in terms of keeping your family connected without them being "too" connected. Just a guess, though. Playing devil's advocate here. :)
ars 13y ago
> I see absolutely no reason why this couldn't have been a mobile app with a bar code scanner and voice recognition... They have that: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.pricecheck https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.pri... Barcode scanner, and voice recognition. It's not nearly as cool or convenient as a dedicated device though.
devicenull 13y ago
Have you ever tried to scan a barcode using a phone's camera? The process is pretty terrible, it takes forever to focus, and you better hope you have perfect light. Compared to a dedicated barcode scanner, phones are pretty terrible for this.

I see absolutely no reason why this couldn't have been a mobile app with a bar code scanner and voice recognition...

by ngoel36 13y ago

I see absolutely no reason why this couldn't have been a mobile app with a bar code scanner and voice recognition...

Looks like there is also a mobile app. I bet they built custom hardware for a couple reasons: 1. Custom hardware sitting around reminds you of Amazon and your ability to order. Having a new device feels more futuristic, which does seem logically odd. 2. Durability. While cooking etc, you dont' want to touch your phone. This looks very easy to clean/throw around. 3. Barcode scanner speed. Apps with cameras are much, much slower at recognizing barcodes than this. This removes a lot of interface. Just scan it and you're done -- no hassle switching apps, holding the camera just right, etc. I bet this feels more natural.

rb2k_ 13y ago

Probably because nobody wants to use mobile apps with bar code scanners. Related: http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/ http://picturesofpeoplescanningqrcodes.tumblr.com/

Cyph0n 13y ago
Genius. I've always wondered how many people actually take the time to scan QR codes on posters and such. I mean, don't companies track QR code scan-through rates?
chintanp 13y ago
No posts on above tumblr as of now.
- teach 13y ago
  (That's the joke.)
ChuckMcM 13y ago
Which is the conventional wisdom (no one scans anything) but its not actually correct. I've done some QR tests which have picked up hits (not huge mind you but non-zero). There was also the story of the guy[1], on Sharktank, where one of his props was a QR code and he picked up customers who scanned it (from their TV) while watching the show. It isn't common, that is for sure. And the bar code folks don't make it easy for folks. Simply publishing the bar code database would be a huge 'win' for barcode adoption. [1] http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/04/how-a-startup-accidentally-hacked-shark-tank-with-a-qr-code/?source=gravity http://techcrunch.com/2014/02/04/how-a-startup-accidentally-...
- Cyph0n 13y ago
  Interesting. Thanks for the link.

pisarzp 13y ago

I see one - convenience. It takes much longer to unlock phone, open app, than scan instead of just scanning. Also probably easier to use by multiple users (kids might not have smartphones)

toomuchtodo 13y ago

I won't cry over breaking this vs my $600 smartphone in the kitchen. I had to clean my wife's phone off just a day ago, as she was using it while baking and it was covered in flour.

hk__2 13y ago

I guess it’s easier to scan with a dedicated device than with a mobile phone (“scan, scan, scan” vs. “open the app, take a picture, let it scan, take another picture, let it scan, etc”), plus you only need one device at home everybody can use without having to take your/their phone.

sliverstorm 13y ago

It sounds like they are gunning for it to be an "appliance" of sorts. The same way very few people actually use cell phones as TV remotes, even though the software is out there.

leonhandreke 13y ago

In my experience, the camera takes too long to focus to really be practical for scanning many items. Also, it's marketed as a multi-user device, which a smartphone is not.

Haywain 13y ago

This product keeps your personal Amazon shopping account out of the hands of the rest of your family. With Dash, it seems, your 7 year old can add items to your shopping list without being able to Checkout... or, your wife can add items to your weekly grocery list without seeing what you've got in your shopping cart for your upcoming anniversary. It gives everyone "Add" ability without having to log them into an Amazon account on everyone's smartphone. Though... I guess this could be solved with a token... but in general the more I think about it, the more it seems to be considered in terms of keeping your family connected without them being "too" connected. Just a guess, though. Playing devil's advocate here. :)

ars 13y ago

> I see absolutely no reason why this couldn't have been a mobile app with a bar code scanner and voice recognition... They have that: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.pricecheck https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.pri... Barcode scanner, and voice recognition. It's not nearly as cool or convenient as a dedicated device though.

devicenull 13y ago

Have you ever tried to scan a barcode using a phone's camera? The process is pretty terrible, it takes forever to focus, and you better hope you have perfect light. Compared to a dedicated barcode scanner, phones are pretty terrible for this.