Microsoft Explores New Ways to Pay, Fighting Off Amazon In-Store and In the Cloud
*By Alisha Haridasani*
Microsoft is reportedly exploring how to automate cashless check-out at brick-and-mortar retailers in a bid to challenge Amazon not just in-store but in the cloud.
The technology would track what shoppers add to their carts and bill them automatically after they walk out of a store, according to a [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-microsoft-store-exclusive/exclusive-microsoft-takes-aim-at-amazon-with-push-for-checkout-free-retail-idUSKBN1JA0D5) report on Microsoft's plans. The tech giant is in talks with Walmart and other retailers about potential collaborations, the report said, citing people familiar with the effort.
Microsoft's effort to develop a new payment model comes almost five months after Amazon opened its first [Amazon Go](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/21/technology/inside-amazon-go-a-store-of-the-future.html) store in Seattle, where cameras and sensors track what shoppers pick up and then bills their online account, eliminating cashiers and the long lines that snake around them.
Microsoft is exploring a number of ways it can make this payment system work, including installing cameras in shopping carts instead of on shelves, as Amazon does, said Jeffrey Dastin, the Reuters technology correspondent who first reported the story.
"The reason that it has looked into this is, of course, that some of the technology that Amazon Go has introduced is a bit expensive," said Dastin. "This is a reaction to retailers not being so sold on the technology that Amazon has put forth and maybe this is a go-to-market strategy that's faster."
Amazon’s new technology, and the potential to put it to use in its Whole Foods stores ー the online retailer acquired the grocery chain last year ー has scared other grocers who fear the combination of online disruption of retail and in-store convenience will further eat into their business.
The challenge has prompted other players, including Walmart, to innovate their [online](https://cheddar.com/videos/jetblacks-competitive-advantage-time-savings-and-a-human-touch) and [in-store](https://cheddar.com/videos/walmart-upgrades-digital-services-to-boost-in-store-experiences) operations.
Microsoft's decision to develop this technology is driven by its ambitions to boost its cloud business, said Dastin. "What Microsoft essentially is doing here is becoming more than just an IT provider and becoming a strategic ally to retailers," he said.
The cameras and algorithms associated with the technology would ultimately use Microsoft's cloud business, but it would also provide retailers with data on consumers that can help them stay competitive, said Dastin.
"This is securing cloud revenue growth and at the same time securing long-standing relationships with a major vertical."
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/microsoft-developing-cashierless-tech).
Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni introduce Phia, a fashion tech startup that helps users find price comparisons and discover alternative options for apparel
Universal Music Group and AI platform Udio have settled a copyright lawsuit and will collaborate on a new music creation and streaming platform. The companies announced on Wednesday that they reached a compensatory legal settlement and new licensing agreements. These agreements aim to provide more revenue opportunities for Universal's artists and songwriters. The rise of AI song generation tools like Udio has disrupted the music streaming industry, leading to accusations from record labels. This deal marks the first since Universal and others sued Udio and Suno last year. Financial terms of the settlement weren't disclosed.
Microsoft says users of its Azure cloud portal may be not be able to access Office 365, Minecraft or other services due to issues with its global content delivery network services. The tech company posted a note to its Azure status page that its teams are currently deploying a fix to address the outage.
Nvidia on Wednesday became the first public company to reach a market capitalization of $5 trillion. The ravenous appetite for the Silicon Valley company’s chips is the main reason that the company’s stock price has increased so rapidly since early 2023.
A new poll finds that as the United States rapidly builds massive data centers for the development of artificial intelligence, many Americans are concerned about the environmental impact.
Brain.fm merges music and neuroscience to enhance focus, creativity, and mental health—Dr. Kevin Woods reveals how sound is transforming cognitive performance.
An internet outage on Monday morning highlights the reliance on Amazon's cloud services. This incident reveals vulnerabilities in the concentrated system. Cloud computing allows companies to rent Amazon's infrastructure instead of building their own. Amazon leads the market, followed by Google and Microsoft. The outage originated in Northern Virginia, the biggest and oldest cloud hub in the U.S. This region handles significantly more data than other hubs. Despite the idea of spreading workloads, many rely on this single hub. The demand for computing power, especially for AI, is driving a construction boom for data centers.
Ashley Fieglein Johnson, CFO & President at Planet, joins us to share the story behind the Owl launch—and how strategy, tech, and vision are fueling liftoff.
OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT will soon engage in "erotica for verified adults." CEO Sam Altman says the company aims to allow more user freedom for adults while setting limits for teens. OpenAI isn't the first to explore sexualized AI, but previous attempts have faced legal and societal challenges. Altman believes OpenAI isn't the "moral police" and wants to differentiate content similar to how Hollywood differentiates R-rated movies. This move could help OpenAI, which is losing money, turn a profit. However, experts express concerns about the impact on real-world relationships and the potential for misuse.
