Australian Google Assistant users can now shop online with eBay from today, with the Online Marketplace announcing their Assistant app is now available down under.
The Google Assistant app, which lets Australians search for goods, or find out what their goods are worth can be accessed through any Android phone running Android 6.0+, as well as through the Google Home, Home Mini or the new third party Google Assistant powered smart speakers popping up in stores.
Tim MacKinnon, managing director of eBay’s Australia and New Zealand markets says
eBay has a long history of being the first to market with new innovations here in Australia, and our latest collaboration with Google is no exception. eBay built this technology from the ground up and it’s the perfect example of how artificial intelligence is helping to make a truly personalised shopping experience. As of today, we are bringing the best of eBay to your home with Google Assistant, making shopping as simple as a conversation.
As usual you can find a bit more about the eBay app on your phone by opening the Home app, going to the nav drawer and clicking ‘Explore’ from there you can simply search for eBay. Commands suggested by eBay include ‘Ask eBay for a deal on Kate Spade Bags’ and ‘ Ask eBay what my Go Pro is worth’. or by simply telling Google to ‘Talk to eBay’ or ‘Ask eBay’ allowing you to search the more than sixty million listings in categories ranging from tech to home listed on eBay.com.au.
The ‘What’s it worth’ function can give Australians an idea of what their items are worth after a few questions, allowing quick valuations on the go.
eBay says that the ability to switch from a voice platform such as on a Google Home Mini for example to your phone offers ‘a unique personal shopping experience’ allowing you to start a search for an item in your Kitchen with your Home speaker and then continue on your phone or mobile device whenever you need it.
In practice the implementation is a little buggy with the Assistant app handy, but cboosing to launch the mobile eBay website rather than the more useful eBay app installed on my phone. But it is still quite a handy tool to be able to use on the go on your Home Speaker.
The app is now live, so fire up Google Assistant or talk to your Google Home and see what you think.
Thats awesome news. As a Australian I have been waiting for long time to get this features. Finally I am able to access it.