(via http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/cab/abu/y211/m09/abu0295/s03) By Ina SteinerAttendees of this year's Shop.org Summit were treated to a talk by inventor, author and futurist Ray Kurzweil, who said the exponential growth in IT/computing power means the world will be very different in 3 years. He warned retailers to make sure they build change into their plans and business models.
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Online sellers are already using 3D printers to "manufacture" their products - seethis article in EcommerceBytes from June, "Shape of the Future: Make Your Own Products to Sell with Shapeways."
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Consumers will use augmented reality (AR) in stores, according to Kurzweil, so they will experience virtual reality and real reality at the same time. Ecommerce players are already using augmented reality - see, USPS Meets Star Trek andAugmented Reality Comes to eBay Mobile to learn about early adapters.