New Amazon app enters retail space

Dealers should be on the lookout for customers using a new app created by A9.com, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. The app allows users to explore tens of millions of products and view them on Amazon.com.

iPhone customers can use the new app, called Flow, to point at any product with a UPC code. The app, which does not need to be pointed specifically at the code, will then visually recognize the product and display Amazon.com product information, including price, multimedia content and customer reviews and ratings. Customers can also share what they’ve found on Facebook or Twitter or through email. Flow also gives users the option to order the product instantly from Amazon.com.

"This is our first step towards integrating product search technology with augmented reality," said Bill Stasior, president of A9.com. "The integration of a live camera display, graphical overlays, and visual recognition technology creates a seamless experience for a customer looking to discover information about objects in their physical surroundings."

The app is available for free download at www.itunes.com/appstore.

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