Amazon Dash • Hacker News Board

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)

Re: Amazon Dash

#14

Post by toomuchtodo » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:50 PM UTC

ngoel36 wrote: post #10

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

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.

Re: Amazon Dash

#15

Post by sliverstorm » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:50 PM UTC

ngoel36 wrote: post #10

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

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.

Re: Amazon Dash

#16

Post by alaskamiller » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:51 PM UTC

Number of steps to scan grocery by phone:

1. Find your phone

2. Unlock

3. Swipe left to home page three or maybe four

4. Visually scan for the AmazonFresh icon and tap

5. Wait for loading

6. Start scanning action

7. Confirm and pay

Number of steps to scan grocery by Dash:

1. Get device from drawer or pantry

2. Press one button and scan

3. Confirm and pay

For the target demo (30+, married, households with children), option 2 wins hands down. Because you will easily be distracted and stop using option 1 and not complete checkout.

Amazon knows CPG and commerce better than you do.

Re: Amazon Dash

#17

Post by hk__2 » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:51 PM UTC

ngoel36 wrote: post #10

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

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.

Re: Amazon Dash

#18

Post by leonhandreke » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:52 PM UTC

ngoel36 wrote: post #10

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

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.

Re: Amazon Dash

#19

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:52 PM UTC

donretag wrote: post #4

"Dash ... works directly with your AmazonFresh account" Which means it is only available in three locations (SoCal/SF/Seattle).

[deleted]

Re: Amazon Dash

#20

Post by Roritharr » Fri, Apr 04, 2014, 9:52 PM UTC

justinpaulson wrote: post #3

Why would they make a device rather than an app to do this? Seems pretty awesome as a service though...if Amazon Fresh was available here.

I think it has to do with the mental model. The Amazon Dash could be the first thing you think about when needing something, instead of your normal grocer, because its right there in your home. On a phone this would be just an application, which is easily forgotten and since its not special purpose hardware it's always more tedious to use then a device that has just this one purpose and those buttons.