14 DAY TRIAL // It looks like Google wants a piece of the e-commerce market via one of its new platforms that have not yet been officially launched.
Helpouts is the name of the new product from Google that aims to take on Amazon and eBay, TechCrunch reports, citing an unnamed tipster.
The product is being tested internally at the company and will take the shape of a marketplace that enables users and small and large businesses to buy and sell services via live video.
The service would give merchants and consumers the chance to connect immediately.
Sellers are going to be able to create their own profiles and take advantage of a reputation manager, as well as of Google’s robust search offer. Users are also going to be able to schedule and fiddle with payment features.
According to screenshot obtained by the aforementioned source, sellers will be able to operate on several categories, such as “Computers,” “Education,” “Food,” “Health,” “Hobbies,” “Repair” and “Other,” while many could still be added to the service before its official launch.
The platform could come integrated with several other Google products, such as Google Wallet, the virtual wallet and payment service.
This new Google service could remove numerous barriers that stand between buyers and sellers. For instance, an English teacher could give language training to students across the globe via Helpouts, without having to actually travel the distance.
Helpouts has reportedly been in testing since June, but may be at least a month away from public release.
When the service comes online, it could do a lot of damage for consecrated e-commerce platforms since it offers a lot more ways options to work with and opens up a vast array of possibilities for both buyers and sellers.
It would also enable Google to enter a brand new section and to expand in yet another direction.