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| Virtual Sears debuts on Second Life’s IBM ‘island’
There’ll be no way to have tires rotated, but a new Sears Virtual Home promises users a chance to browse the store’s online merchandise immersively | |||
| 16 Jan 2007
: There’ll be no way to have tires rotated, but a new Sears Virtual Home promises users a chance to browse the store’s online merchandise immersively. The prototype 3-D showroom resides on an IBM "island" in the virtual world of Second Life. Meant to showcase basic features of using virtual worlds, the initial store allows shoppers to experiment with changing the color of the cabinets and countertops in a virtual kitchen, explore 3-D versions of various home theater set-ups and learn how to organize their garage by virtually customizing storage accessories. The virtual showroom replicates in 3-D tools available on Sears.com. Consumers can order items from the Sears Virtual Home by connecting from the 3-D environment to Sears.com and choosing delivery to their homes or opting to pick up the items at a Sears store. Eventually, customers may be able to use "avatars" -- 3-D virtual representations of themselves -- to replicate their exact room dimensions and experiment with redesigning a kitchen, garage or home theater by selecting appliances, tools and furniture, using the immersive, 3-D environment. Shoppers would be able to instantly change the colors, sizes and styles of refrigerators, ovens, counter tops, cabinets, televisions and more. "The Sears Virtual Home combines the best of virtual worlds and 3-D environments so customers can experience Sears' products in a way that is closer to real life. Sears.com already provides innovative design functionality and this work with IBM in a virtual world is a logical extension of those initiatives," said Paul Miller, senior vice president, Direct Commerce, Sears Holdings. |
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