Saturday, 16 November 2013
Google has announced a new tool called Helpouts, which aims at assisting users on a range of topics including home improvement, education, fashion and beauty, art and music, cooking or medical advice through live video chats. Google has teamed up with companies such as Sephora, One Medical and Rosetta Stone to provide real-time assistance through live video.
Google allows companies to fix their own
prices, charge users either by minute or session, or even flat free.
However, Google hopes most of the providers will be offering free
services. There's also an option to set up an appointment with a
particular vendor or connect with expert, if he/she is available,
instantly. Users have the option to select
providers based on availability, price, ratings, reviews or
qualifications. Google conducts a background check of providers before
allowing them to join the platform.
Google Helpouts charges a flat 20%
transaction fee on all paid and non-Health Helpouts. For free Helpouts,
Google does not charge any transaction fee. Starting January 1, 2014,
Health Helpouts will be charged a transaction fee like all other paid
Helpouts. According to Manber, Google is also
planning to include offline interactions, such as calling for a home
repair expert to visit your house.
To use Helpouts, users must sign in to Google Plus and Google Wallet, which is available online and Android phones.
To know more about Google's Helpouts service, visit https://helpouts.google.com/home.
