I’ve recently joined the growing number of lazies who would rather buy online than step into a mall.

I now order anything, from pizza to sneakers, directly from an app on my cellphone – but what about a ordering a couch or a six-seater table, items that needs a little more consideration?

Well, Business Insider has got the lowdown:

While [retailers that sell furniture and other home decor] can use showrooms to give some customers a sense of what a new couch or rug will look like in their home, they don’t have the same advantage with those who shop online.

The solution? Augmented reality, which allows consumers to overlay digital renderings of items onto their homes through their phone screens.

Brands like IKEA, Target and Lowe’s have all already implemented their “AR shopping technology”, but now, Amazon recently joined the party with an additional feature to their iOS app that:

[A]llows users to sample a limited selection of products, most of which are home furnishings or electronics.

The feature only works on iPhone models later than the 6S with a mandatory installation of iOS 11. So you’re probably sorted.

Business Insider tried the feature and, although “the technology still has a few kinks to work out, it’s easy to see how augmented reality could continue to drive consumers away from brick-and-mortar stores”.

Personally, I think they could’ve put Photoshop’s Quick Selection Tool to better use.

You’ll probably agree when you see it – here‘s a full look at how it works.

[source:businessinsider]