Amazon has launched a new Alexa for Shopping feature that lets users text the AI assistant to place orders, request reorders, or search for gifts, including by sending photos for product matches. The feature is currently available to select US customers who sign up, with a broader rollout planned in coming weeks. Alexa can also track pricing history, set sale alerts, and report delivery status via text, with requests syncing to the Amazon Shopping app and website.
engadget.com
· 2026-11-06
Amazon is expanding Alexa for Shopping with a texting feature that lets users describe or photograph items they want to buy, after which Alexa searches Amazon listings, replies with recommendations, and can place the order. The feature, which appears as a contact called 'Amazon Alexa' in a phone's messages, began rolling out to a small group of US customers today and will reach more users in coming weeks.
theverge.com
· 2026-11-06
A CNET writer used Meta's AI assistant Muse to automatically search Facebook Marketplace for an ottoman, air purifier and humidifier within set price ranges and locations. Instead of a one-time search, Muse set up a recurring task that rescans listings every four hours and surfaces matching items, including a specific air purifier brand the writer wanted.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-26
A YouGov survey found that the share of US Black Friday and Cyber Monday shoppers planning to use AI tools this season has risen to 34%, up from 16% a year earlier. Despite that growth, 40% of US adults say they won't consider AI for holiday shopping, and most of those who do use it rely on it for product research rather than letting it complete purchases.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-09
TikTok announced the launch of an AI-powered shopping assistant and a new in-app checkout feature that enables users to purchase products directly from brands within the app. The AI assistant offers real-time guidance by understanding user preferences and providing product details, while the checkout feature allows seamless transactions from the For You feed. These updates aim to keep users engaged within TikTok’s ecosystem for shopping activities.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-05
Shipt, Target's same-day delivery service, rolled out an AI tool called Ask Shipt that converts written prompts or photos into ready-to-checkout shopping carts. Customers can request carts based on occasions like tailgates or school lunches, or set a budget, such as a weeknight dinner for five under $35. The tool can also identify ingredients from a photo of a dish and add them to a cart automatically.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-09
Apple has started an early preview of a new AI-powered virtual shopping assistant inside the Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad, replacing the search icon with a chat interface. The assistant can answer questions about products, trade-in values, carrier offers, and monthly payment plans, though only select users currently have access.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-08-24
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