Google’s New AI Tested for Holiday Shopping – Here Are the Results
▼ Summary
– You can use Google’s AI Mode to discuss shopping needs and receive product suggestions with prices and details.
– The Gemini mobile app provides gift ideas with descriptions and links to online and physical retailers.
– Google’s agentic AI can call local stores to check product availability and inquire about sales using Duplex technology.
– AI agents can track product prices and notify you or automatically purchase items when they reach your desired price.
– These AI shopping features are currently rolling out and expected to improve further as the holiday season approaches.
Finding the perfect holiday gifts can feel like a monumental task, but Google’s new AI-powered shopping tools aim to simplify the process. These features, available through AI Mode, the Gemini app, and agentic AI, promise to help users discover, compare, and even purchase items with greater ease. I recently put these tools to the test to see how they perform in real-world holiday shopping scenarios.
One of the first features I explored was Google Search’s AI Mode. Instead of typing a list of keywords, you can describe your needs conversationally. For example, I asked for suggestions on a sweet dessert wine as a gift. The AI responded with six different options, complete with descriptions, pricing, and direct links to online retailers. It even included helpful tips like how to package the bottle attractively and what foods to pair it with. While the results were relevant, I felt the feature could offer more depth. Google has indicated that further enhancements are on the way, so it’s worth checking back as the shopping season progresses.
Next, I turned to the Gemini mobile app, which now integrates more advanced shopping capabilities. After updating to the latest version on my iPhone, I asked for gift ideas tailored to Doctor Who fans. Gemini generated a variety of suggestions across categories like clothing, kitchenware, collectibles, and games. Each recommendation came with a brief description and links to both online and brick-and-mortar stores where the items could be purchased. This functionality is still rolling out, but it already shows promise for delivering personalized, actionable shopping guidance.
Perhaps the most ambitious tool is Google’s agentic AI, designed to handle specific shopping tasks autonomously. Using Duplex technology, the AI can call local stores to check product availability and ask about ongoing sales or discounts. Although I couldn’t access the “Let Google Call” feature during my test, I did try the price tracking option. I searched for an iPad Air, selected a product card, and set a price alert to notify me if the cost dropped below a certain threshold. I also enabled an option for the system to automatically purchase the item if it reached my target price. Setting up the alert was straightforward, though the price hasn’t yet hit my desired level, so the full automated buying process remains untested.
Overall, Google’s AI shopping assistants provide a glimpse into a more streamlined future for holiday gift hunting. The conversational approach in AI Mode and the curated suggestions from Gemini are useful starting points, while the agentic features, particularly price tracking and automated calling, could save significant time and effort. As these tools continue to develop, they may well become indispensable aids for busy shoppers.
(Source: ZDNET)
