Google fights Amazon for ecommerce action, calls for laws on video game loot boxes.

Business website Bloomberg has published fascinating insight into Google’s attempts to battle Amazon for online shopping.

 

The search giant has never really had a a strong e-commerce strategy but now it’s changing direction and trying again. 

 

Google wants to make it easier for customers to find what they want to buy - and then buy it - without having to go to 3rd party websites.

 

One to keep an eye on if you run a business or don’t like shopping on Amazon.

 

 

If you or someone in your family plays video games you’ve probably heard about ‘loot boxes’.

 

These are paid for in game extras which can contain extra lives, weapons or costume accessories but players don’t know what they’re getting until they’ve paid for and opened a box.

 

Some of them aren’t worth much at all and consumer groups are calling for legislation to protect players from what it claims are misleading, aggressive and manipulative tactics.

 

Finally, this from Switzerland where cameras are being fitted onto public transport vehicles, to gather vast amounts of data about the waste on the streets - how much, where it is and when it gathers - the system then uses artificial intelligence to co-ordinate cleaning resources and public awareness campaigns to keep things clean.