News

Actions

Like something on Amazon? Wave a wand to buy it

Posted

Online shopping as easy as waving a magic wand. It's not a fantasy any more with Amazon, nor is it really magic.

Amazon has updated its barcode-scanning Dash shopping wand so you can now buy anything with it, not just groceries.

It's the latest hardware device Amazon is selling to rope shoppers in. The wand, launched in 2014, was initially available only to members of Amazon's $299-a-year grocery delivery service Prime Fresh and could only be used on grocery items.

Now the $50 wand can be used on Amazon's entire catalog. You scan a product's barcode or say its name to add an item to your Amazon shopping cart. You still need to go to Amazon's website or app to complete the order.

Although you don't need to be a Prime Fresh member, you do have to be part of Amazon's $99-a-year Prime loyalty program.