Amazon has expanded its domestic goods-ordering Dash Buttons program beyond U.S. shores, bringing the devices to Germany, Austria, and the U.K. for the first time.
The buttons have been available in the U.S. since March of last year, and enable Amazon Prime customers to reorder specific household items like coffee, toilet paper, and washing up liquid by pressing a physical button that's wirelessly linked to their Amazon account.
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Amazon has added over 100 popular household brands to its Dash program in the 18 months since its launch, in a bid to make reordering goods online a seamless process. Daniel Rausch, Director of Amazon Dash, said of the launch:
"We've all experienced the frustration of running out of something we need—Dash Button and Dash Replenishment Service are designed to make that moment a thing of the past.
"Dash Buttons offer the convenience of 1-Click shopping from anywhere in the home — they can be placed near those frequently used items you don't want to run out of, and when you see supplies running low, the Dash Button makes it easier than ever to order more. Just press the button and your item is on its way."
Dash buttons cost $4.99 (£4.99 / 4.99 euros) each, but Prime members get the same amount discounted off their first order, making the first device essentially free.
Amazon also announced it is launching its Dash Replacement Service (DRS) in the above countries. DRS lets connected devices like water filters and printers link up to the Dash system, either by manufacturers incorporating manual Dash buttons into the hardware, or enabling the devices to automatically reorder supplies when they are running low.
Companies including Bosch, Siemens, Samsung and Whirlpool are currently working on integrating Dash Replenishment into their products, according to Rausch.
Amazon Prime costs $99 (£79 / 49 euros) and grants customers access to a range of Amazon services.
Top Rated Comments
There is some truth to the idiot blogger's fears, though - the first Dash Button was found in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, under suspicious circumstances, and it was still glowing at the time. And each time they've pressed that button, a new Dash Button appears - that's where they're all coming from.