"Push C-4 for Wireless Headphones". It's not the typical vending machine repertoire, but via these high-tech "robotic stores", you will be able to purchase PSP software, Sony brand blank media, headphones, and other accessories. Two versions of these machines are being introduced: a 4-foot-wide version and an 8-foot-wide version.

You will only be able to pay via credit/debit card (no cas allowed), in effect restricting them from the under-18 crowd. One idea that's being considered is to attach a USB port to allow people who buy an MP3 player to download music files on the spot. I think this is a great way for Sony to get mall space across America. Plus, it may just be me, but I hate interacting with cashiers who are making minimum wage and have no idea what they're doing. To just do everything at an automated machine would be the ideal purchasing experience for me.

Sony just this week installed three of these kiosks, one each in Atlanta, Santa Rosa, and Boulder, CO, and they plan to increase that number to 10 by the end of 2006.

Full article. Via QJ.

Report Published by: Mark Raby