Amazon May Predict And Ship Your Next Order Before You Buy It

Deutsch: Logo von Amazon.com (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NEW YORK (MainStreet) — Amazon believes it may have the ability to anticipate consumer demand on a granular level – so much so, that it could actually begin shipping an order before you even buy it. The online retailer is working to refine predictive logistics in an effort to further shorten shipping times to customers. “Anticipatory package shipping” – a process patented by Amazon late last month – may become a part of that process.

By analyzing consumer data, such as prior orders, product searches, wish lists, shopping cart contents – and even cursor activity — Amazon could predict a consumer’s future purchase and move merchandise to a nearby fulfillment center in anticipation of a subsequent order.

By forecasting customer behavior, Amazon seeks to speed transit times to customers while utilizing lower-cost ground shipping rather than expedited methods “that may rival the price paid for the merchandise.

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/philly/story/amazon-may-predict-and-ship-your-next-order-you-buy-it-0/1

AOL To Sell 800 Patents To Microsoft For $1 Billion

The second logo for AOL, used from 2006–2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(Reuters) – AOL Inc said it would sell over 800 of its patents and related applications to Microsoft Corp , and would grant Microsoft a non-exclusive license to the patents it retains, for slightly over $1 billion in cash.

AOL’s shares jumped 37 percent to $25.16 in trading before the bell on Monday. They closed at $18.42 on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Internet company said it plans to return a “significant portion of the sale proceeds” to shareholders.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/business/sns-rt-us-aol-microsoftbre83809x-20120409,0,3464198.story