Walmart's new text service bypasses app, website to order stuff online

Walmart is trying out outsmart e-retailer Amazon with a new text-to-order service, Jetblack. 

Launching first in New York City, the service cooked up in Walmart's tech incubator, Store No. 8, is aimed at "time-strapped" families that are too busy to browse for birthday presents, cleaning supplies, or toiletries online. Forget about physically going to a store — no way. Just text what you need.

Instead of searching for products on a mobile app or on a website, Jetblack is more of a text conversation — with a computer. You can text thoughts, ideas, musings, and the "personalized shopper" will come back with recommendations and reviews. You can even send over a picture and the Jetblack assistant will look for it. You can also text straightforward orders for when you know what you want. Read more...