There are people who like sneakers and then there are folks who treat them like the investments they are. Those intrepid fans will either snag a compelling sneaker drop as it shows up, or they get to go hunting. The hunt, if we’re being honest, may just be the best part.
The problem with it is not knowing what you’re going to get. After all, how do you tell if those kicks are as pristine as promised? What if there’s a hidden scuff you’ll only see after the courier has stopped by? eBay has recognised the problem, and it’s releasing a tool to help.
Sneaker-ing this one in
The online marketplace is releasing what it calls, “…a new 3D true view technology”, made using Unity. The tool will initially allow sneaker sellers to scan their products and upload them so buyers know exactly what they’re paying for.
eBay hasn’t gone into much detail about how it works. A custom app is used to film a video, which is then uploaded and, “using AI methodology”, converted to a photorealistic 360° presentation. This can be viewed on the service’s iOS and Android apps. If you’re still using a browser, you won’t get to reap the benefits of this brand-new thing.
The company’s 3D true view tech will only be available to select sneaker purveyors, but a broader rollout will take place in 2022. eBay seems keen on the market — earlier this year it first added sneaker authentication, then bought the company providing the service.