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Amazon Stops Selling Press-to-Order Dash Buttons (cnet.com)

Amazon's physical Dash buttons are no more. The e-commerce giant has stopped selling its tap-to-order Dash buttons as of February 28th. From a report: If you still proudly use a Dash button (or a few dozen), don't worry: Amazon plans to continue supporting new orders through existing Dash buttons so long as the public keeps using them. So what killed the Dash button's future? Well, by Amazon's telling, the device was a victim of its own success, since it helped nudge forward the concept of the connected home to what it is today. Daniel Rausch, an Amazon vice president who helped grow the Dash program from its start, said that back in early 2015, when the Dash button first came out, there were far fewer options for connected home gadgets. Amazon workers were trying to figure out a way "to make shopping disappear" for grocery list items like paper towels and printer ink and whatever else is pretty not-fun to go out and buy, Rausch said.

4 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. What a stupid idea that was by ReneR · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Who freaking brought / used this sh1t anyway? The only useful thing I could think about is a dash button for toilet paper, but otherwise, coffee beans?

  2. The Dash button needed an e-Ink display... by ctilsie242 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The Dash button desperately needed an E-ink display. That way, it would be easy to tell what product the button is used for, and Amazon wouldn't be stuck with Dash buttons which people were not buying. Plus, it would give the advantage of being able to be used with products people did want to buy.

  3. This wuz all planned! by the_skywise · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Riight - it has nothing to do with them being ruled illegal in Germany (and then inevitably by the EU...)
    https://yro.slashdot.org/story...

  4. Single Item Per Button by Only+Time+Will+Tell · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I liked the idea of simply being able to reorder as needed, but the fact they were like $10/button and only served 1 product always put me off. Before they came out I thought of a similar product, like barcode reader, that could sit in closets or pantries where you could scan the barcode from the item you were out of and it would add it to your shopping list. These buttons removed the list idea and conveniently ordered it right away, but were locked into the brand, size of packaging (24 count vs 36 count), and variety (e.g. no other scents or colors) for the button you bought. If it had a reader and screen, you could scan the item, pick amongst what Amazon is currently offering, and then buy it. That way if you wanted a smaller size, or were brand-agnostic and wanted a cheaper price, it would allow it.