Get Your iPod Fix From a Vending Machine

burnteternal writes "iPod Hacks reports that new iPod Vending Machines are popping up all over the U.S.; it includes links to pictures and a video of it in action."

Comments

not surprising

[Eil]

Hello, here's a non-linkjacked URL:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/ipod-vending-ma chine-133740.php

Don't expect to see iPod vending machines on street corners anytime soon. This one appeared in an Atlanta airport, where such a machine would make sense. Your everyday air traveller is an affluent entertainment-hungry impulse buyer willing to spend any amount of money to avoid being bored for the next hour or two. Plus, the machine is simply not going to get ripped off in an airport crawling with security.

From the looks of it, this machine isn't even Apple's doing, but rather some company called Zoom Systems.

Bad Idea

[MrSquirrel]

It states the poor-quality idea right in the article: "This vending machine was spotted at the Atlanta airport. So you're getting ready for your long, grueling flight across the country by purchasing an iPod from the vending machine, then on the plane what do you do? Oh, nothing, because it doesn't have any damn music on it. Lets say by chance you actually have a laptop full of music and iTunes to sync with your new purchased iPod, well then why did hell did you buy it to begin with. Damnit!"
Buying a portable media player should be a THOUGHT-OUT decision, considering is is a substantial investment (well, unless you're Bill Gates... BUT YOU'RE NOT! ohh burn). There is no sense in thinking through the process or research and planning, coming to the conclusion that "the iPod is the best choice for me", then buying it from a vending machine! Any sensible person would be able to plan, research, and - through research - find a good deal on the internet or in a store (somewhere that can actually offer support if you open up your $300 iPod and go "hey, this box just had candy in it"). Vending machines are great for sudden-satisfaction items like candy, soda, and even CD's... but portable media players are not the type of thing they should carry. ...if these do become popular, I can bet there well be another thing that becomes popular -- breaking the glass and grabbing some iPods to support your coke habit (break the window with some blunt object and grab an iPod or five in less than a minute).

Wrong type of vending machines

[technoextreme]

When buying electronics from machines that are barely passable for distributing candy, make sure not to be surprised when your 300 dollar electronics don't work because they've been dropped from a height of four feet.

Actually they are robotic vending machines. Nothing actually drops. Heheh.. I've seen this things dispense coke before and the sounds and movements it makes is cool. Here is there website.
http://www.zoomsystems.com/index.html

There's one at the Sony Metreon

[Animats]

There's a vending machine with some iPods in it at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco. It's in the store on the second floor that sells laptop cases, jelly beans, and video projectors.

Perfect for stolen credit cards

[eric2701]

They've had this around San Diego for a while. From talking to the employees at the Vons(Safeways for the rest of the country) where the machines are located, they said that a lot of the purchases have been with stolen cards. And that is exactly what happened my friend this weekend when her purse was stolen. $800 in less than in hour from the super market down the street.

Not sure who takes the loss, but its probably going to be the biggest problem for the company running the machines.