eBay is developing a great many tools when it comes to AR, AI and machine learning. It’s likely that we won’t see very practical applications for many of the developments for some time. But what do all those terms mean? Today we consider eBay AR and that’s augmented reality. That’s a way of using images and dimensions to help your solve a problem. And this new feature on the eBay apps is a fascinating new example of how eBay is developing. This is the sort of technology that eBay is correctly investing in.
Here’s a video that explains the idea:
But what is the idea? Basically, you can take a snap or video of your sold item (give the app the information about what you’ve sold) and the eBay app will guide you to grabbing the correct box to package and despatch it in. The app will match the goods to the cardboard.
As they say:
You don’t have a ruler, and you don’t have a box yet, so you’re left staring at your item as the countdown to your ‘ship by’ date looms. But what if you could try on virtual boxes and find just the right one to ship your item? eBay’s new shipping tool makes finding that perfect box as simple as holding up your phone. Today, we’re launching a tool that uses augmented reality (AR) to fix real-world problems—letting you hold your phone over a real item and try on virtual boxes.
– eBay blog
This isn’t really a game changer for sellers just yet: you know what boxes and packaging you need. But it is a fascinating innovation and an indication of how the world is going. eBay is increasingly seeking ways to help make selling easier and more efficient and they are investing in the tech. You just have to embrace it.
9 Responses
I actually thought this was an April Fools joke.
“You don’t have a ruler, and you don’t have a box yet, so you’re left staring at your item as the countdown to your ‘ship by’ date looms.”
I think eBay should spend time and resources ironing out all the existing niggly little problems rather than developing something that people will actually use
“and while Rome burned, Nero wisely invested in his string instrument practice.”
what an abject waste of time and effort.
it often seems to me ebay is catered directly towards morons. case in point.
“hey you’re too thick to measure a box, or even realise you might need a box. ebay’s the place for you! we’ll ignore the day job and invent ridiculous tech to facilitate your monumental levels of stupidity!” wonderful.
Couldn’t agree more, total waste of time and energy… how about getting the buyers addresses checked for accuracy and quality..? ten in the last three days, all no feedback, all showing an email address in the house number/road name..
Just how is an error of this magnitude allowed to assist?
I’d hazard a guess once you have taken a picture of the item, ebay try and sell you the correct box.. just like their ebay branded packages..
Its another income stream…. something they are desperate for..
Much the same as with the payments system.. Adyen.. another income stream thereafter to be used as an EU POS VAT collection service……
The majority of our products go into one of two size boxes, it is not hard to work out if a 8inch bottle will fit into a 5inch box.
But should I struggle, great to know I can get an app to assist….
As mr s said “how about getting the buyers addresses checked for accuracy and quality” a far more useful idea.
Get the basic site working properly.
Stop tinkering with stuff and trying to bring new stuff along that isn’t needed or wanted & then it stops other items working.
Ludicrous tech idiocy…
I’ve had four buyers tonight, either don’t know their own address or postcode and neither are recognised by either eBay or Royal Mail websites. The buyer takes a few days to reply, basically it’s where’s my item and then they’ve got the audacity to put you down as a low score as you didn’t send it in time.
eBay has got to make sure addresses and postcodes match up before being verified in PayPal.