Amazon's Magical Buy-Things-for-You Buttons Are Here

The future is now.

Update, 7/30: I am not backing down re: we're giving Amazon way too much personal info by using their magic buttons that automatically buy you things, but that doesn't mean I can't see the appeal of never having to physically buy toilet paper again.

Exclusively for Amazon Prime members, the online retailer has rolled out $5 plastic tabs for 18 products, including essentials such as Kraft macaroni and cheese, Larabars, and *angels sing* Cottonelle. But can you specify two-ply when you hook it up to the app? What if I only want chocolate chip cookie dough-flavored Larabars? When will they add pizza? 

Oh wait. I mean, "Ew. This is such a bad idea." 

Original story, 4/1: Today, I woke up paranoid that everyone would lie to me/try to trick me into reading fake news posts. Was March 31, 2015 any different?

Apparently, this Amazon thingamajig is very real, though, even if the promotional video looks so much like an SNL parody I half-expected Keenan Thompson in a bad wig to pop out of the Olay lady's shower. Here's the deal: The Dash Button is a Wi-Fi-enabled plastic controller you link to your phone after you stick it on random surfaces in your house. Then, when you're running low on detergent pods or BB cream or whatever item from the 255 available, you push the button, and it automatically buys more from Amazon.

See? It's like the standing order you can set up for Chanel Rouge Cocos but with a physical component! Except…even worse, because now, in addition to your credit card info and address, Amazon knows exactly what you keep in your house and how quickly you/your family go through it. But what's privacy when you can have never-ending K-Cups? Yippee!

Assistant Editor

Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.

Latest in Culture
Two men (Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen) sit at a conference table with a script in front of them, as two women (Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders) stand behind them, in 'The Studio.'
The Cast of 'The Studio': Your Guide
(L to R) Contestants Kyle Wimberley, Lydia Blair, Samantha Hubbard, and Cara Kies sit and stand around a chess table in episode 105 of Million Dollar Secret.
Meet the Cast of 'Million Dollar Secret'
A man (Graham Hornigold) sits in a professional kitchen as a woman in a hat, sunglasses, and fur coat stands behind him, holding a champagne glass with her other hand on his shoulder. Concept art from the Netflix documentary 'Con Mum.'
Where Is Graham Hornigold Now? What We Know About the 'Con Mum' Subject
Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence.
Who Is Owen Cooper, the First-Time Actor Who Plays Jamie in 'Adolescence'?
(L to R) Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney in episode 101 of The Residence
Where Was 'The Residence' Filmed? What to Know About the Location Transformed Into The White House
Sydney Cole Alexander as natalie smiling and posing in a lumon office in severance
'Severance' Is a Vintage Furniture Collector’s Fever Dream
Latest in News
Model with barely there makeup, glowy skin, and long coily hair.
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards
Two men (Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen) sit at a conference table with a script in front of them, as two women (Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders) stand behind them, in 'The Studio.'
The Cast of 'The Studio': Your Guide
Bella Hadid walks into a studio wearing an oversize leather jacket with a pair of capri leggings and ballet sneakers
The Ballet Sneaker Trend Is Bella Hadid's Undisputed It-Shoe of 2025
Keke Palmer in a brown cutout dress and long copper hair
Keke Palmer Returns to the Dark Side With Deep Espresso Hair
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Jennifer Lawrence
The Jennifer Lawrence-Approved Adidas Sneakers Everyone's Talking About Are Secretly On Sale at Nordstrom