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KFC Introduces Meal Box That Doubles As A Smartphone Charger (indianexpress.com)

An anonymous reader writes: KFC has introduced a limited edition 5-in-1 Meal Box to select KFC outlets in Delhi and Mumbai. The box has one mighty special feature: it will charge a user's smartphone while they eat. The company has partnered with a Mumbai-based digital agency, Blink Digital, to make the "Watt a Box" concept a reality. In terms of specs, the box features a built-in 6100 mAh power bank, and two USB-ports with the ability to charge Android smartphones and iPhones. KFC has launched a contest on its Facebook page, giving users a chance to win the box. You can watch the "Watt a Box" promo video here on YouTube.

7 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. Dynamo Bikes... by tonywestonuk · · Score: 5, Interesting

    We do this in the UK also.... ...except the power is already in the KFC chicken itself, rather than a lipol batter pack. This project puts free to use dynamo bikes for the public to use. Plug your phone in, then burn a few calories charging it..... ideal if you've pigged out and want to burn at least some of it off! http://eastdevon.gov.uk/news/2...

  2. Re:I'm confused by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm more concerned about all these spent battery-containing boxes getting sent to the landfill.

    Also, that commercial was pretty bad even by commercial standards.

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  3. Re:Marketing People by mfh · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Batteries and fat fryers. What could possibly go wrong?

    Actually this would also make a nasty attack vector for blackhat people who could easily get employed at KFC during the promotion to rig boxes to steal customer info or brick phones.

    My advice; never trust a fast food place for your wifi or charging needs. Keep those random and personal.

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    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
  4. Re:Don't eat this shit by Vairon · · Score: 4, Informative

    KFC in India has many vegetarian dishes to choose from. In addition to fried chicken sandwiches and strips they have fried vegetable "strips" and fried vegetable sandwiches. They have several spicy chicken choices we don't have in US KFC as well that are quite tasty.

  5. Re:Marketing People by mfh · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I deal with risk management daily. The factors KFC is considering here are pretty interesting but they are probably going to target advertisements to the phones for sure -- I mean that's a given that some kind of phone home device will happen -- permissions or not.

    They may ask you to sign up to something for charging and then pair your device with their network. That's possible.

    All the free wifi networks are kind of tracking people like this now anyway and if they aren't they are missing some interesting fingerprinting.

    One vector is a USB mount attack which leaves the user unable to defend their microsd data. Sure if you're an IT expert you may be able to protect against it with proper configs, but KFC is targeting nightclub people basically who won't go home so they need to charge their phones after the bars. Stop at KFC for greasy food and a quick charge... boom. pwn'd.

    The device this guy is talking about could be rigged to send certain things through an open wifi or on a lower cost budget, the blackhat goes through the garbage later on and grabs all the boxes out to recycle them. KFC may even ask that users recycle the boxes, which would make mr. blackhat's job even easier.

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    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
  6. Re:I'm confused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Like you, I'm not exactly certain watt they are talking about. I am pretty amped up about it, but I predict the idea may meet with some resistance.

    Still, I'd like to get one of these boxes and take it ohm.

  7. Re:Marketing People by ITRambo · · Score: 4, Informative

    The user needs to allow data transfer to a new USB connection, with Android 6. Otherwise, its just for charging the battery.