I attempted Amazon’s new AI buying device, a...

In case you’re something like me — consistently testing each new AI tool for my job and admittedly a little bit of an online shopaholic — Amazon’s new AI-powered “Hear the highlights” function in its Procuring app is correct up your alley.

Amazon recently announced it is utilizing giant language fashions to investigate product particulars, comb via opinions, and even compile internet sources to generate a dialog between an “AI host” and an “AI professional.” The concept is, you will not need to wade via lists of specs, dig into lengthy descriptions, or scroll via buyer opinions to determine if an merchandise’s value shopping for — AI voices will let you know.

Is that this genuinely helpful or simply one other AI gimmick? I needed to know

I opened the Amazon app, tapped the brand new “Hear the highlights” button on a Keurig Okay-Elite product itemizing, and gave it a spin. An unnamed AI host kicked issues off by asking “Sophia” (a so-called culinary professional) what makes the Okay-Elite stand out. In a few minute, Sophia ran via its 5 cup sizes, strong-brew setting, iced-coffee possibility, temperature management, and detachable drip tray. Subsequent, the AI host requested what prospects thought concerning the espresso maker.

Sophia famous the 30-second heat-up time and enormous water reservoir however flagged a couple of sturdiness considerations within the opinions. Lastly, the 2 mentioned who this machine is ideal for, and Sophia stated it is splendid for anybody who loves selection, from sturdy morning espresso to iced afternoon drinks and scorching tea in between. The AI host cornily concluded, “Even AI wants its morning espresso. Oh wait, we do not.”

After attempting Amazon’s newest AI function, I am truthfully undecided how helpful it’s for most individuals. Your complete audio was two minutes lengthy, and I discovered myself pondering I may most likely skim the entire product itemizing so much quicker. Nonetheless, I suppose it has accessibility benefits. For individuals who need to attempt it now, take a look at my information under. In case you do not see the button simply but, replace your Amazon app and preserve a watch out.

And discover a product with the ‘Hear the highlights’ button

First, open the most recent model of the Amazon Procuring app in your telephone. Then seek for a product you need to purchase. Amazon’s “Hear the highlights” button is barely obtainable on product itemizing pages for choose gadgets, just like the Ninja Blender, OSEA Undaria Algae Physique Oil, or Shokz OpenRun Professional headphones. In my case, I examined the function on a Keurig coffee maker.

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Find Amazon’s AI button on a product

Search for ‘Hear the highlights’ below the product picture

Proper on the product itemizing web page, you must see an oblong Hear the highlights button. It is positioned just below the picture or picture carousel, and exhausting to overlook as soon as it is there. This button will even show how lengthy the audio takes to listen to.

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Play the product’s audio abstract

Faucet the button and pay attention

When you see the “Hear the highlights” button, faucet it, and an embedded audio participant will slide up on the backside of your display screen. Immediately, you will hear the AI host and AI professional chatting concerning the product’s standout options and opinions. It is framed as a pleasant back-and-forth. Their voices sound pure — although, truthful warning, they are often tacky.

Personally, I believe this AI function may assist anybody who would not need to learn via specs and dozens of opinions. Listening to a abstract could be way more digestible for busy multitaskers. It additionally makes buying extra accessible for visually impaired customers or those that be taught greatest by listening. That stated, I do marvel if individuals will truly use it and whether or not it truly saves time.

This is not Amazon’s first AI-powered function. It additionally affords Rufus, an AI buying assistant that solutions your questions, for example. There’s Review Highlights too, which makes use of AI to summarize widespread themes throughout opinions, and even Buy for Me, a beta experiment that completes purchases from different websites when Amazon doesn’t promote the merchandise immediately. As a lot as I like and take a look at the most recent tech, I hardly use these instruments.

So, will I proceed to check “Hear the highlights” when buying? Most likely not. I do not discover studying to be a drag and may do it fairly quick, so on this occasion, AI is just not truly serving a helpful goal for me.

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Are you tired of AI?

With Google’s I/O and Microsoft’s Construct 2025 being almost solely centered on AI, and Apple’s upcoming WWDC seemingly taking the identical route, it is clear AI is not going wherever. Whether or not it is Gemini coming to Chrome, new AI Search options, or Microsoft’s concentrate on AI brokers, a number of new AI options are on the horizon.

However what? I am bored with all of it. I’ve but to discover a consumer-facing AI function truly really helpful, with Adobe’s AI spot removing and picture growth being the one two exceptions. I’ve little interest in AI writing emails for me or utilizing it to generate random photos in apps like Picture Playground or Pixel Studio. Certain, an AI function might click on with me sooner or later, however thus far, that hasn’t been the case. It seems like tech giants are forcing these options on customers whether or not they need them or not.

With this in thoughts, how do you are feeling concerning the rise of AI? Have you ever discovered AI helpful or are you bored with the options consistently being pushed on you.

FAQ

Q: Who can attempt Amazon’s ‘Hear the highlights’ button?

Proper now, it is in restricted testing for a subset of US prospects and seems solely on choose gadgets just like the Keurig Okay-Elite.

Q: Which merchandise have Amazon’s ‘Hear the highlights’ button?

This is the place you possibly can take a look at Amazon’s Hear the highlights button: