Using 3 dimensional technologies to change the face of e-commerce
In the past, online shopping was basically limited to flat web pages, without the possibility to view merchandise as you would if you were actually at the retailer’s location. A new technological innovation developed by Near Global is striving to change this. A recent news clip by the Associate Press on January 20, 2009 introduces a new development that would allow consumers to not only shop online, but view retailers – in 3D- in their area as if they were actually present.
As mentioned in the clip, Near Global has already set the stage for a 3D version of London’s West End. Alex Wrottesley, Co-Founder, Near Global, stated that with this development consumers will be able to virtually walk through the streets, fly in the sky, look in store windows, and walk in the store as if they were physically there.
Shopping online allows you to avoid the crowds, waiting in line, and noise, but some consumers may prefer to actually visit the retailer. Richard Dodd, of the British Retail Consortium, mentioned that consumers physically go shopping to stroll around, encounter different experiences, and meet and mingle with others. Retailers welcome the opportunity to conform to the change in retail.
With Near™ a visitor can not only shop, but socialize, play games, and explore. Near will provide virtual versions of cities that will allow user to do all of the things they normally do, but without ever leaving their homes. According to nearglobal.com, “Near™ delivers a new kind of interactive experience. Using the latest video-game technology Near enables you to walk the streets, browse and buy from retailers, watch concerts and films and share information with your friends, all in a beautifully realized environment.” Near™ will initially be released for PC. Support for all other major hardware platforms (including Mac, Linux, Wii, Xbox360, PS3 and Mobile) is planned for 2009. Near will be available all over the world; in the United States it is currently available in California, Florida, and New York. Near™ will officially launch in London at the end of 2009 with a special seasonal addition. For more information visit http://www.nearglobal.com/.
In the past, online shopping was basically limited to flat web pages, without the possibility to view merchandise as you would if you were actually at the retailer’s location. A new technological innovation developed by Near Global is striving to change this. A recent news clip by the Associate Press on January 20, 2009 introduces a new development that would allow consumers to not only shop online, but view retailers – in 3D- in their area as if they were actually present.
As mentioned in the clip, Near Global has already set the stage for a 3D version of London’s West End. Alex Wrottesley, Co-Founder, Near Global, stated that with this development consumers will be able to virtually walk through the streets, fly in the sky, look in store windows, and walk in the store as if they were physically there.
Shopping online allows you to avoid the crowds, waiting in line, and noise, but some consumers may prefer to actually visit the retailer. Richard Dodd, of the British Retail Consortium, mentioned that consumers physically go shopping to stroll around, encounter different experiences, and meet and mingle with others. Retailers welcome the opportunity to conform to the change in retail.
With Near™ a visitor can not only shop, but socialize, play games, and explore. Near will provide virtual versions of cities that will allow user to do all of the things they normally do, but without ever leaving their homes. According to nearglobal.com, “Near™ delivers a new kind of interactive experience. Using the latest video-game technology Near enables you to walk the streets, browse and buy from retailers, watch concerts and films and share information with your friends, all in a beautifully realized environment.” Near™ will initially be released for PC. Support for all other major hardware platforms (including Mac, Linux, Wii, Xbox360, PS3 and Mobile) is planned for 2009. Near will be available all over the world; in the United States it is currently available in California, Florida, and New York. Near™ will officially launch in London at the end of 2009 with a special seasonal addition. For more information visit http://www.nearglobal.com/.
