Shapeways Ready to Become the Amazon of 3D Printing?

3D printing company Shapeways, that creates made-to-order products, has raised $30 million from Andreessen Horowitz, Union Square Ventures, Index Ventures and Lux Capital. With the new financial infusion, the company is planning to build factories and bring on new hires. The investment is also expected to enable more companies and individuals access to high-end 3D printers to create and sell their products. Continue reading Shapeways Ready to Become the Amazon of 3D Printing?

Google Quietly Tests Car-Shopping Service in California

Google is getting closer to becoming a jack-of-all-trades as the company takes on another role: car-shopping service. With its new approach (being tested in Northern California), search pages related to vehicles will include a Google link that offers details on local car dealerships by vehicle I.D. and sticker prices. However, by current law, Google is not allowed to make any profit on the car dealership transactions. Continue reading Google Quietly Tests Car-Shopping Service in California

Are We Closer to a Marketplace for Used Digital Content?

Amazon and Apple, today’s biggest forces in electronic goods, are separately pursuing a digital marketplace, where items such as e-books, music, movies and software can be bought, sold and exchanged. The Apple system would enable this to happen through file transfers. However, the system would limit the digital copy to one user at any given time. Will content producers eventually see their work devalued in such a marketplace? Continue reading Are We Closer to a Marketplace for Used Digital Content?

Will Google Shopping Express Compete with Amazon Prime?

Google has begun testing its own e-commerce site called “Google Shopping Express,” with same-day delivery from stores like Target, Walgreens and Walmart. The site is expected to offer a $64 annual deal, compared to competitor Amazon Prime’s $79 service. Google’s Tom Fallows, an e-commerce product manager, is reportedly running the project, and the company is currently working with personal delivery and online services. Continue reading Will Google Shopping Express Compete with Amazon Prime?

3D Virtual Try-On: iPad App Helps You Shop for New Glasses

A new augmented reality e-commerce application for Glasses.com may not only revolutionize how consumers shop for eyeglasses, but could also have a significant impact on online shopping. The iOS app scans multiple angles of your face and uses a QR code (held up to your head) to determine the scale of your face. Then the app can superimpose glasses on images of your face to offer a virtual fitting room experience. Continue reading 3D Virtual Try-On: iPad App Helps You Shop for New Glasses

Will Amazon Make Complete Transition to Third Party Sales?

Amazon has begun to shift from directly selling products to customers due to its success with third party sales. The practice of fulfilling third party sales will continue to grow, and could become the entirety of Amazon’s business plan eventually. Third party sales now account for 39 percent of Amazon’s sales, and massive distribution centers show Amazon’s continued transition. Continue reading Will Amazon Make Complete Transition to Third Party Sales?