Ecommerce Product Releases: November 1, 2017

Here is a list of product releases and updates for late October from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on augmented reality tools, image-recognition for search, shipping tools, payment security, and affiliate programs.

Got an ecommerce product release? Email releases@practicalecommerce.com.

Ecommerce Product Releases

Airbnb launches new API and affiliate program for high-traffic sites. As a new initiative to boost its bookings, Airbnb has launched a new push for affiliate partners with sites of over 1 million visitors, as well as an API for app developers. Through a guest affiliate program, feature any Airbnb listing on your site, and earn a commission for every booking you drive through your audience. Showcase Airbnb hosting opportunities for your audience and earn a commission for each new host who signs up.

Target adds augmented reality shopping to its mobile website. Target has launched an augmented reality feature on its mobile website. The new feature, called “See It In Your Space,” allows shoppers to use their smartphone camera to see how a piece of furniture would look in their room before buying it. Currently available for 200 Project 62 Target home products, the functionality will roll out to hundreds of additional products by the end of the year and thousands of products in 2018.

Facebook launches Marketplace for cars. Facebook is expanding its used car inventory by partnering with leading auto dealerships. Browse inventory from auto dealers through new partnerships with Edmunds, Cars.com, Auction123, CDK Global, and SocialDealer. Communicate directly with dealership representatives via Messenger, powered by chat providers like ActivEngage, CarCode, Contact At Once!, and Gubagoo. Visit the enhanced vehicles section and filter listings by year, make, model, mileage, vehicle type, and transmission.

Mobify Web Push Notifications adds new analytics. Mobify’s Web Push Notification Analytics is available immediately as a feature of the Mobify platform. The new capability enables retailers to understand how shoppers are engaging, which messages are delivering the best conversion rates or having the greatest impact on revenue, and how campaigns are performing overall, by individual device or specific campaign.

Search eBay with new image-recognition features. New image-recognition search features — Find It On eBay and Image Search — are now live on eBay’s mobile apps. These features allow shoppers to use pictures instead of words to search eBay’s 1.1 billion listings. With Find It On eBay, start your search on any social platform, like Facebook, or while browsing your favorite blog or website. Simply “Share” the image with eBay and the eBay mobile app will surface similar listings. With image search, you click on the camera button and take a photo or use an existing photo of the item you want to buy from your camera roll. eBay will then show you listings for items that are a close match or visually similar to what you want to buy.

Qualpay bolsters payment platform. Qualpay, a provider of integrated omnichannel payment solutions, has announced the release of recurring billing with account updater features to its payments processing platform. Qualpay’s recurring billing allows merchants to deploy customized billing plans, simplify pricing management, provide easy payment tracking, and more. Account updater helps merchants improve relationships with subscribers by automatically updating customer payment information provided by card issuers.

Visa ID Intelligence moves payment security beyond passwords. Visa has announced Visa ID Intelligence, a platform that allows issuers, acquirers, and merchants to quickly adopt emerging authentication technologies and create more secure and convenient ways for consumers to shop, pay, and bank on their connected devices. Available through Visa Developer Platform, Visa ID Intelligence offers a curated selection of leading third-party authentication technologies with simple integration using Visa APIs and SDKs — allowing clients to create, test, and adopt new authentication solutions.

Kount announces BOOST Technology to drive sales, beat fraud through AI. Kount, a provider of solutions for fraud and risk management, has announced the release of BOOST Technology, its latest enhancement powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. BOOST Technology is designed to weigh the risk of fraud against the value of each unique customer to help identify legitimate transactions from fraudulent ones. The machine learning featured at the core of BOOST Technology works out of the box, evolving and improving its algorithm as it builds a unique picture of each merchant’s business.

First Data unveils series of new initiatives with Apple Pay. First Data, a player in commerce-enabling technology, has announced new initiatives with Apple designed to broaden the distribution of First Data’s Clover devices and accelerate the expansion and digital transformation of Apple Pay. First Data’s Clover Go device, an EMV and Apple Pay-enabled mobile card reader, will be available in the coming weeks on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores across the United States. Clover Go can be used with iPhone and iPad, and can accept EMV transactions in less than 3.5 seconds.

Amazon launches Handmade at Amazon.ca. Amazon has announced the launch of Handmade at Amazon.ca, a new storefront featuring handmade items crafted and sold directly from artisans. With Handmade at Amazon.ca, consumers can discover hundreds of artisans and more than 10,000 products from around the world, and shop local from artisans based in their community, with free two-day shipping. For artisans looking to sign-up, Amazon.ca is waiving all listing fees until December 31, 2018. All products available on Handmade at Amazon.ca must be made by hand. Product categories include home décor, jewelry, stationery and party supplies, furniture, and kitchen and dining.

eBay launches eBay Authenticate to boost shopper confidence for luxury handbags. eBay has launched eBay Authenticate, a white-glove authentication service designed to help the marketplace’s millions of active buyers shop with confidence for luxury handbags. eBay sellers can now utilize the service to list luxury handbags and wallets valued at least $500 and receive 80 percent of the final selling price when selling luxury handbags from 12 high-end brands, including Gucci, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Valentino. For a limited time, the service will accept luxury handbags valued at least $250 and sellers will receive 90 percent of the final sale price. eBay buyers can shop more confidently for luxury handbags knowing that items marked with an “Authenticity Verified” label are backed by a 200 percent money back guarantee.

Reaction Commerce raises $8.5 million in series A funding led by GV. Reaction Commerce, an open-source commerce platform for retailers and brands, has announced $8.5 million in Series A financing. The round was led by GV (formerly Google Ventures) with participation from previous investors. In addition, Reaction is also launching new multi-shop marketplace capabilities, as the company continues to innovate on its approach to commerce. Reaction Platform, the company’s paid offering, is a single, end-to-end platform, allowing for continuous, scalable, and automated deployment and management of commerce applications across multiple environments and regions.

ShipWorks enterprise shipping software now integrated with Jet.com. ShipWorks, an enterprise shipping software program for warehouses and fulfillment centers, has announced a new integration with Jet.com, the online shopping platform. The ShipWorks integration allows Jet.com merchants the ability to manage the entire order fulfillment process within a simple interface. Once merchants have downloaded their Jet.com orders into ShipWorks, they can quickly compare shipping rates and delivery times for multiple shipping carriers. After the label has been printed, delivery information will be automatically communicated back into the merchant’s Jet.com account, including ship date, service used, and tracking number.

Amazon launches Business Prime Shipping in the United States and Germany. Amazon Business has announced the launch of Business Prime Shipping, a paid annual membership program for registered multi-user business customers in the United States and Germany. In the United States, Business Prime Shipping offers unlimited free two-day shipping on eligible items for all users on an Amazon Business account. Amazon Business customers can sign up for an annual Business Prime Shipping membership based on the number of users on their business account: $499 for up to 10 users, $1,299 for up to 100 users, and $10,099 for over 100 users.