Each month, our Consumer Tech Briefing series discusses recent developments in the world of technology. This month, we focus on recent product launches involving augmented reality (AR) technology. Pinterest Launches Shoppable Virtual Makeup “Try on” Feature Pinterest has rolled out “Try On,” a new shoppable AR feature that enables users to virtually test various lipsticks in real time. Beauty brands that are part of the feature’s initial rollout include bareMinerals, Estée Lauder, Neutrogena and Sephora, as well as selected L'Oréal brands such as Lancôme, NYX Professional Makeup, Urban Decay and YSL Beauté. The Try On feature is powered by Lens, Pinterest’s proprietary visual search technology that can reportedly identify more than 2.5 billion objects. The AR tool overlays a digital image of makeup onto a live video. To use the feature, Pinners (as the company calls its users) simply tap the Lens camera icon in the Pinterest app on their smartphone and click “Try On” to select virtual lipstick shades. Pinners can also access the feature by typing in lipstick-related terms into Pinterest’s search engine—such as “matte lipstick” or “red lips”—and selecting the Try On option, which opens the phone’s self-facing camera. Users can swipe up in the app to shop the products or opt to take a picture of the augmented image and save it as a pin for purchasing later. According to Pinterest, the Try On feature does not use skin-smoothing digital enhancements or image-altering effects, thus making the AR experience as realistic as possible. The company also said that in addition to lipstick, it will launch more beauty categories in the feature, allowing shoppers to virtually try on different makeup products. [caption id="attachment_103737" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Pinterest’s Try On makeup feature
Source: Pinterest[/caption]   John Lewis Introduces “Virtual Sofa” AR Feature in Its iOS App UK department-store chain John Lewis has launched a new AR feature in its iOS app that lets shoppers virtually place sofas and armchairs into their homes before they make a purchase. Dubbed “Virtual Sofa,” the feature is initially being tested with over 120 of the retailer’s best-selling sofas, with more to be added in the coming weeks. Shoppers can access the feature by tapping the “View In Your Room” button in the app, which opens the user’s smartphone camera and prompts them to scan their room to gather data on spatial dimensions. Once the app has created a 3D model of the room, users can choose from a range of John Lewis sofas, armchairs and color swatches to virtually place 3D renderings of furniture into their own homes. The company said that the new technology aims to end the customer mentality of “guessing and hoping it will look right” and simplify the furniture-buying process for shoppers. [caption id="attachment_103738" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The John Lewis “Virtual Sofa” AR feature
Source: John Lewis[/caption]   1-800-Flowers.com Leverages AR and Voice Tech for Valentine’s Day To enhance the gift-giving experience for shoppers leading up to and during Valentine’s Day 2020, US flower delivery service company 1-800-Flowers.com has introduced new AR functions and artificial intelligence (AI) integrations into its digital interfaces. The company has also upgraded its mobile app and rolled out additional payment options. The new AR mobile shopping feature provides a more immersive view of the company’s products and enables shoppers to preview Valentine’s Day arrangements in their own spaces. Users with Apple Pay-enabled devices can pay for the items within the AR experience. 1-800-Flowers.com is also making efforts to streamline its customer services, with the integration of AI-based intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) to provide a smooth service to callers. The IVA can provide 24/7 support to solve customer queries such as order tracking and order modifications without any help from a live agent. The AI-powered system uses natural-language processing to recognize customer queries and decrease wait times by accurately redirecting calls to agents as appropriate. Furthermore, the IVA will reportedly provide a more personalized experience to customers over time by accessing and learning from previous interactions and order histories. [caption id="attachment_103739" align="aligncenter" width="700"] 1-800-Flowers.com’s new AR tool, depicting how a rose bouquet would look on a real table
Source: 1-800-Flowers.com[/caption]   Crate and Barrel Opens a Tech-Enabled Concept Store On January 30, home-furnishings company Crate and Barrel opened a new concept store in Pasadena that enables customers to decorate a room using 3D design renderings of the retailer’s furniture and décor products. Inside the store, customers are able to receive specialist help and one-to-one advice from experts, who assist shoppers in developing a complete home makeover or a living-room upgrade using 3D modeling tools, mood boards and floor plans. The concept store also features exclusive items not available at other Crate and Barrel stores, as well as custom, made-to-order furniture. Crate and Barrel, in partnership with interior design tech company Modsy, already offers its 3D Room Designer service online and in store, which allows customers to visualize how home décor, art and furniture would appear in their own spaces.