Amazon introduces ordering “Buttons” to the home

Amazon has developed a new “Dash Button” product, which allows customers to order household supplies when they are running low by pressing buttons installed around the home.

The idea is that the buttons, which are branded with particular product logos, can be placed in useful places like kitchen and bathroom cupboards or on appliances so that items can be ordered more directly.

The Button works in conjunction with a smartphone app and a home Wi-Fi connection. Amazon says: “Dash Button is simple to set up. Use the Amazon app on your smartphone to easily connect to your home Wi-Fi network and select the product you want to reorder with Dash Button.”

A single press of the Dash Button places an order and unless the customer chooses to change the setting it only responds to the first press until the order arrives.

It would mean that consumers might have brand logos dotted all over their homes, although the volunteers who have been contacted directly by Amazon are allowed a maximum of three dash buttons each at the moment.

The Buttons come with a reusable adhesive and a hook so they can be hung, stuck or placed where needed.

Almost 300 brands, listed here including Bounty, Huggies, Olay and Gillette have signed up to the trial.

The Button product is being trialed with Amazon Prime customers in the US, the same consumer group which is using The Amazon Dash service – a wand-like device designed for use in the home that customers can talk into or scan packaging with to place orders.

Amazon has also introduced the Dash Replenishment Service, which means that smart connected devices like coffee machines can order more supplies. Either a physical button can be built into the product or the device can be designed so that it records consumption and usage and places an order automatically when supplies are low. The likes of Whirpool, Brita and Brother are already signed up.

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