On-line shopping? Game On!

Mobile communications have come a long way since the early 1990s. And it sort of feels we are on a similar jouney - this time in relation to redefining the on-line shopping experience. 

Following  my blog, "Shopping? It's childsplay" www.retailiation.com March 12th) and before the announcement Facebook's $2bn+ acquisition of Oculus Rift, I had the opportunity to experience the phenomenon first hand. 

And whilst visually impressive, it did feel a bit claustrophobic - like being trapped in a diving bell. But, it is all about direction of travel - no one carries those old brick phones any more. 

Which makes me wonder whether Sergey Brin hasn't trumped Mark Zuckerberg?..With the ink still drying on the Facebook / Oculus Rift deal, Luxottica (Rayban and Oakley) announced a strategic partnership with Google to commercialise smart glasses.

In a world of technological convergence, on-line shopping will meld seamlessly into gaming and the battle for hegemony has begun. Like VHS vs Betamax, it's deja vu all over again.

The future of online shopping took serious steps forward last week. Facebook and Google threw their hats in the ring, it just leaves Apple and Samsung to make their intentions clear and who knows what Amazon and Alibaba might do. Game on!