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Comment by wippler | Hacker News Reader

This is embarrassing: if they are too afraid to actually re-style it for a day (with all potential losses), then they shouldn't bother with a static image. Sometimes you get too big to be cool.

I completely disagree. They run a system that is arguably very complex. I would not want to restyle my entire app (for a day) (so people like you would approve of it). They took something that was low risk, made it happen across the board, reliably. Site still works. It drums up chatter around offices. Makes people visit. Enjoy your misery.

Wow, no need to overreact. I remember VK offered Soviet and Pre-revolutionary versions of their web-site as an easter egg:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VK_%28social_networking_website...

"Russian-speaking users can choose between the standard Russian version and two extras: a Soviet version and a Pre-Revolutionary version. Other than language tweaks (e.g. telegrams for messages and comrades for friends) these versions contain other easter eggs. For example, all private messages in the Soviet version have a stamp saying 'passed server censorship'. The pre-revolutionary version uses old-style Russian orthography. Both extra versions are also ad-free."

Amazon is naturally much bigger, but VK is not a small fry either.

It wasn't an overreaction, it was merely defending their decision and implementation. It was far from "embarrassing".

Would probably result in millions of lost revenue because of the UI.. Although that number would be interesting to see.

It's probably much higher than we can guess.

Amazon has been pretty conservative with their UI changes over the years, which could be because their users react poorly to them.

It's bad enough having a full-page single-image image map (I'd almost forgotten image maps were a thing), but to use a jpeg is just offensive.

Amazon Dash Button https://www.amazon.com/oc/dash-button

Not sure if you were being cheeky or not, but that's not an April Fool's joke.

Dash is real.

No it's not.

They've certainly gone to a lot of trouble writing support docs if it's not real: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_b...

Did you read those docs?

> Note: You may need to increase your iPhone volume, since Dash Button uses ultrasonic tones to sync with your iPhone during setup. If prompted, drag the volume slider to the recommended level, at or above where it says Best.

Ultrasonic tone sync?

I actually wrote a library that does this, FSK to WAV and back is just a few lines of code, and fairly reliable. There are even Javascript libraries that can do it.

I think it probably is real, it just shouldn't be. :-/

Ultrasonic communication is also used by some of the 2nd screen tv apps.

Doesn't the Chromecast have that capability?

Isn't that what Clinkle was supposed to be using? It was supposed to be the hot new tech that could replace NFC. Or something or other...

[1] http://www.thewire.com/technology/2013/07/what-is-clinkle/66...

That's actually pretty established technology nowadays. I'm not surprised they're using it.

Dash is 100% real: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tn-amazon-dash-button-....

No reason it shouldn't be. Brilliant idea: put a "reorder consumable product" right where you will be the moment you realize you need to reorder a particular consumable product. Running low on laundry detergent? TP? fabric softener? trash bags? push button. You walk away from that location, you'll immediately forget you needed to order (which means drive to store or fiddle with browser). Devices can be built dirt cheap now: button, minimal wifi, ease setup via (yes) nigh-unto-free microphone. App gathers requests, confirms them (my first thought was "great, kids sit there pushing button and order 137 bottles of Tide"), done, product arrives in 24/48 hours.

Sign me up.

Hey, I actually thought it was an April Fools joke as well, but then realized that we've gotten to the point where it is crucial to have 1 day delivery for toilet paper...Honestly, it's cool, but from a sense of self-pride...no. This is how civilizations collapse...let's be honest.

> This is how civilizations collapse...let's be honest.

You're right, it's a little known fact that the cause for downfall of the Roman empire was the ability to order personal hygiene products using a button placed in people's home!

That's a real product, and was actually announced March 31st.

Wow, that must be costing them a fortune. This is the biggest example of conspicuous consumption I have ever seen.

I think it's likely they are partnering with P&G at least on promoting this.

The be vendors that offer the buttons for their products are probably financing the whole thing. They'll also be the ones paying for the buttons, as opposed to customers. Imagine how great it would be for a paper towel company to make buying its towels a single button press (with high coolness factor) whereas any other brand would require a trip to the store, or at least 2 minutes to order on amazon.

They could just automatically include the device in some shipments.

WOW, just wow. Will they not be losing money this way?

Short term, long term.

"Hey, have you seen the Amazon.com homepage today?" - someone in every office everywhere today.

Possibly overrating the green field Amazon has left. I can't imagine any less than a savage disregard for Amazon's half-assed retro April fool's joke around my office. YMMV.

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