What does a search giant that also happens to sell phones, smart speakers, and smart displays have in common with the world's largest retail company by revenue? For one thing, a key rival. In order to fend off this increasingly ambitious common enemy, Google and Walmart are today joining forces on a service aptly called Voice Order.
This will essentially allow your Google Assistant to talk directly to Walmart and add stuff to your grocery cart online without ever using your hands. If the concept sounds familiar, it's probably because Amazon has supported Alexa voice shopping on Echo devices for a pretty long time now. But while the e-commerce giant just so happens to be the world's number one smart speaker vendor as well, Google Assistant's reach completely crushes Alexa availability.
Believe it or not, Google expected its digital assistant to be (theoretically) available on an incredible one billion devices around the world by the end of this January, which is a milestone Amazon can only dream of achieving in the distant future. While it's definitely hard to estimate how many active Google Assistant users might there actually be right now, Walmart is certainly opening up its online shopping service to a huge new audience.
We're talking Google Home and Home Hub owners, but also everyday Android handset and even iPhone users, all of which can simply say "Hey Google, talk to Walmart", then order things by voice. After a little while, Walmart promises you won't have to offer your intelligent assistant too many details about what you want to buy. Instead, you'll be able to add your favorite milk to your cart, for instance, by saying just one word. Based on your previous purchases and general shopping habits, the app will try to predict your specific needs, which sounds equal parts convenient and scary.
Interestingly enough, Walmart says it's merely "kicking off the work with Google" on this "one of a kind" voice order capability, aiming to add "others to the mix as time goes on." Since a partnership with arch-rival Amazon seems unlikely, that could mean Siri support is in the pipeline.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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