NEW YORK (AP) — What’s in a name? Most corporate naming experts say Google’s decision to reorganize its businesses under a new holding company called “Alphabet” is close to letter perfect. Because it is part of Google’s corporate structure, Alphabet is not likely to become part of the lexicon like “Googling” did; it will mainly […]
The ABCs of Google’s new name Alphabet
The Rise of Amazon Prime Instant Video
Online retailer Amazon.com‘s Prime Instant Video made history this week when its show “Transparent” won a Golden Globe for best comedy TV series, a first for a web-only production. Amazon Studios then announced that it had hired Woody Allen to create his first-ever TV series. So what is Amazon Prime Instant Video? It competes with […]
Cyber Monday Gears Up to Get Online Shoppers Hyped
After a busy holiday weekend in shopping malls, millions of Americans are expected to log on and keep shopping on the day dubbed Cyber Monday. That day, the Monday after Thanksgiving, has been the biggest online shopping day of the year since 2010. That’s expected to continue, even though fewer people overall are expected to […]
Amazon Introduces Voice-Recognition Service
Siri, meet Alexa. Amazon is introducing a voice-recognition service called Amazon Echo that comes with a speaker-like wireless device just in time for the holiday shopping season. Responding to voice commands after the “wake word” Alexa, the device offers updates on news and weather and provides hands-free voice control for Amazon services such as Prime […]
Retail Skirmish Blocks Apple Pay at Checkout Line
Plan on paying in stores with your shiny new iPhone 6? Not so fast. Retailer resistance to Apple Pay had been expected because Apple hasn’t offered incentives to install pricey point-of-sale terminals and train staff on its new mobile payment system. But the decision to not accept Apple Pay by retailers that already have contactless […]
Customer Service Robots Use 3D Cameras to Scan, Identify Items
The robots are coming. Lowe’s is testing whether new bots on wheels can improve its customer service, like helping a shopper find a match for something as simple as a nail. Four robots are being tested an Orchard Supply Hardware store owned by Lowe’s Companies Inc. in San Jose, California. The robots dubbed OSHbots look […]
Out-of-Patience Investors Sell Off Amazon
Amazon has long acted like an ideal customer on its own website: a freewheeling big spender with no worries about balancing a checkbook. Investors confident in founder and CEO Jeff Bezos’ invest-and-expand strategy flooded into the stock as the company revolutionized shopping, upended the book industry and took on the cloud — even though its […]
Amazon’s Loss Makes Holidays a Question Mark
Amazon’s trademark smile icon is becoming more of a grimace. The world’s largest online retailer reported a wider third-quarter loss than analysts expected and gave a disappointing holiday forecast. Investors are increasingly irked by Amazon’s strategy of investing heavily in new products and services to spur revenue growth while reporting quarter after quarter of losses […]
Amazon Debuts New E-Readers, Kid-Friendly Fire
Amazon keeps rolling out the devices. The largest U.S. e-commerce company is introducing two new e-readers and new styles of its Kindle Fire HD tablet as part of a fall lineup of Kindle devices. The new and updated devices come on the heels of Amazon’s Fire smartphone launch in June and the launch of a […]