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Favoritism is a funny thing in the world of tech darlings; even when you’re first to market with a certain idea, a copycat can swoop in and steal all the press intention. In light of the Amazon Key announcement, Walmart has got to be pretty pissed right now.
For the unfamiliar, Amazon took the next step to totally invading your home by introducing Amazon Key, a service that lets packages be delivered inside your front door, whether you are home or not. According to coverage from The Verge, the system works using a combination of smart camera and smart lock technology.
A delivery person scans the barcode into the camera, and the information is matched with order intel in the Amazon cloud. A matching order triggers the camera to start recording and triggers the smart lock to send an unlock code to the delivery guy, who can then drop the package and relock the door.
Compare this to Walmart who OVER A MONTH EARLIER announced an “in-fridge” delivery service, whereupon a Walmart employee could enter your home and load groceries in the fridge for you.
Like Amazon, Walmart partners with a smart lock company that allows employees to access your home with temporary, electronic key codes.
The only major difference here is the added security layer of the camera which, while important, is only a step away in this game of professional, convenient home invasion. Yet, Amazon gets all the praise, and Walmart gets crickets.
What gives?
Amazon’s previous delivery reputation helps some. Its Prime service is a critical darling of a First World Solution, so folks have a reason to trust them. Amazon’s brand also has a bit more polish to it; when Walmart is generally associated with parking lot shootings, it’s no mystery why people wouldn’t feel weird about letting the brand into their homes. Nobody wants to bring a stabbing scenario into their well-kept foyer.
However, in general, the idea of letting strangers into your home is a strange proposition. Amazon isn’t immune from this, despite the fact they’ve promised backyard drone drops for at least a year now. Twitter’s reaction to this sums it up well.
Amazon Key is gonna be great. pic.twitter.com/KXALBG7Non
— Robbie Howell (@robbiehowell) October 27, 2017
Amazon: do we have permission to leave your package using Amazon Key?
Me: sure
*later* pic.twitter.com/TWOJaPTij3— The Don (@JackedYoTweets) October 27, 2017
Am I lying tho? ??????#AmazonKey #Amazon @AdrianXpression pic.twitter.com/zBEKnpfGda
— Ms Black & Ms Bougie (@MsBlkNMsBougie) October 26, 2017
Amazon Key: We Won’t Touch Your Stash #AmazonKeySlogan pic.twitter.com/5ULVhEz3Fk
— Michael (@quickbear) November 2, 2017
It will take a lot for either company to normalize this behavior. Perhaps the one who does will get the long-lasting glory.
