Hacker News Reader

Comment by masida | Hacker News Reader

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

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!

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.

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

Reply on news.ycombinator.com