Prototype “Sears Virtual Home” to Open on IBM Island in Second Life

Prototype “Sears Virtual Home” to Open on IBM Island in Second Life

At the Consumer Electronics Show today, Sears and IBM (NYSE: IBM) unveiled a prototype 3-D showroom called the “Sears Virtual Home,” which resides on an IBM “island” in the virtual world of Second Life. Sears’ early prototype store is meant as a showcase of basic features of what might be possible in using virtual worlds to transform consumer experiences. The initial store allows consumers to experiment with changing the color of the cabinets and countertops in a virtual kitchen, explore 3-D versions of various home theater set-ups and learn how to organize their garage by virtually customizing storage accessories.

Eventually, it is anticipated that Sears’ customers will be able to use “avatars” — 3-D virtual representations of themselves — to replicate their exact room dimensions and experiment with redesigning their kitchen, garage or home theater by selecting appliances, tools and furniture that fit those blueprints, using the immersive, 3-D environment.

Consumers would be able to instantly change the colors, sizes and styles of refrigerators, ovens, counter tops, cabinets, televisions and more. “Sears is committed to providing our customers with the best possible shopping experience and to looking for new and exciting ways to present our products and services,” said Paul Miller, senior vice

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