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Mall of America debuts helpful holographic elf for the holidays
How would you keep a shopping mall lively in an era when more and more people are buying their holiday gifts online? The Mall of America has a one-word answer: holograms. It's partnering with mixed reality firm VNTANA on what's billed as the "first-ever" holographic shopping concierge. Visit the mega-mall's Holiday Cottage throughout the season and you can speak to Ellie the elf (no, really, that's her name) for help tracking down top gifts. Ask about how to find an Xbox One for the kids, for instance, and Ellie will point you to the Microsoft Store.
The hologram isn't mind-blowing by itself (it's more like those Pepper's Ghost musician holograms than a true 3D image), but it's helped by a VNTANA platform that can tie a chatbot to a digital model. And no, you won't have to shout over the mall traffic -- there's a handheld microphone to take your voice requests.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 12 2018, @10:06AM (1 child)
Kenya suffered a sort of hostage massacre situation in a huge mall. Somalian islamists did it.
Christmas markets all over Europe are now protected by concrete and steel bollards to stop trucks of peace from running down children and otherwise spoiling the festivities.
Minnesota's Mall of America is huge. It's symbolic of American decadence, wealth, and power. It celebrates Christmas. Minnesota has a large Somalian population. Ungratefully, they hate America.
(Score: 2) by Bot on Wednesday December 12 2018, @05:54PM
What's flamebaity about parent? it is natural to hate other countries. Tribal instincts and all. That doesn't mean everybody gets all terrorist about it, people are good, well, they only get borderline close to it, as any sports match will prove. Even those who claim to be superior to racism and class divisions start foaming at the mouth when what they perceive as fascist gets nearby. Intolerance towards intolerance or something.
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