Will 3d printing move away from tinker communities and into big box retailers ? http://ow.ly/qIA01
No
Not on my dime!
Hell no
And further perpetuate the problem? Eff that!
Lol they cannot get simple things like quality and quantity control right.
And then suddenly they can branch out into engineering. All those extra machines to finish parts and all that danger to with customers walking past. Think this report was done by a blind fool rather than a man of vision.
Can you hear my hysterical laughter from there?
Although I initially laughed, 6 years is quite a while considering the acceleration of 3d printing progress. Who’ll I hate Walmart and wish all the ill will in the world on them, having 3d printing at Walmart would do much to democratize the technology. I’m still waiting for office depot to carry the service in the US. I’m thinking the businesses model will be much like photo development, like how it used to be sent out, waiting a few days, then eventually the machine was in store and you had 24hr… Then 1 hour. I’ll admit, I didn’t read the article 
The fact that you don’t like the idea, doesn’t mean that it wont happen. Interesting Eric. I see the move towards the sharing economy as a positive for 3d printing. Nearly every person who wants to own a printer only has a limited use for its services, and as such an expensive product, sharing is a logical next step.
“Nearly every person who wants to own a printer only has a limited use for its services, and as such an expensive product, sharing is a logical next step.” - @ISM11
That is why there are a few start-up sites that link 3D printer owners to a hub for those willing to share with those who need - an item or two. If that model can make a good showing - we won’t need Walmart & Walgreens to butt their corporate noses in to the small business role model. However - yes - it may end up like what @Eric_Moy envisions. Perhaps what has struck a chord with the folks above is the venue of choice. Walmart’s reputation is less than appealing for most sane folks.
How could they?
Walmart has completely given up in Germany and sold all their shops. So at least over here it won’t own any business at all.
And what about Google? They surely have a plan how to become a dominant player in 3d biz.
@Rene_Baumann nothing of that sort is showing yet. Why do you think they do?
There are no advertisements or user-information to be sold in hardware.