Zoom Systems plans expansion of iPod vending machine network

We've been tempted to pick up an iPod or digital camera via a Zoom Systems vending machine ever since we first got tipped to them a few months ago. But, impulse buyers though we may be, we've avoided the temptation to slip a credit card into one of Zoom's airport kiosks so far. That may change soon, however, now that Zoom has started to get more buzz, and has announced plans to slowly expand its network beyond the two current airports it serves, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International and San Francisco International. The company launched in March, after working with a Japanese robotics company to develop its custom kiosks. Although iPods remain the biggest sellers, Zoom also sells cellphones, digital cameras and other gear, and has also set up custom installations for companies like Bose. Current plans include adding additional Zoom Shops in the two airports currently served, and expanding to additional airports. The company hopes to have as many as 10,000 machines installed by 2007. For the sake of our wallet, we'd better hope most of them are well out of reach.

[Dull @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

What they should have are Kiosks that just download music & videos. Plug your player for a new fix.

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Agreed, if there was a way to in a couple of minutes download two dvds or a couple of tv shows or some music through usb before going on your flight i would use it incredibly often.

[Tidal @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

hmmm... so you buy an ipod at an airport and then stuck with a couple of hours lay-over and no way to get music on the ipod. this impulse doesn't make sense.

[dennis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'd hate to pay good money and have my ipod get stuck in the machine, like the last time I tried to buy a bag of cheetos!

[Trenton Lipscomb @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Impulse, no, but convenience, sure. I've been transiting through airports a number of times and needed to get a gift. I could see myself buying a nano or itrip or something else gadgety for a client from one of these.

As for content, I wonder how many ITMS tracks at $1.50 or even $1.99 they could sell here? That'd be easy to do.

[Matt M @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'd be more worried about the security of these things... Let's say some shady fellow somehow gets his hands on someone else's credit card... Oh wait, no person here to match the CC with a drivers license? No wait time for shipping and finding a drop spot? This is a carder's dream. But then again... I'm sure they've had to have thought of this, so what security measures are implemented?

[fogd00d @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Wow, an on-the-spot trend-whore-monkey IQ test.

Will he let go of the iPod when he sees airport security waddle up, tazers and batons a-glistenin?

[Trent @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Cool idea. Like #5, I've often needed to buy a client a gift,. and a bar of chocolate doesn't cut it.
This avenue of dispensing product should be looked into by Apple. It's a great way to shell out something like the U2 iPod; Some songs already on it by whatever artist, it's not totally empty. No need to worry about over-kill; It's not an iPod it's a Madonna iPod! That shit works.

[Trent @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Cool idea. Like #5, I've often needed to buy a client a gift,. and a bar of chocolate doesn't cut it.
This avenue of dispensing product should be looked into by Apple. It's a great way to shell out something like the U2 iPod; Some songs already on it by whatever artist, it's not totally empty. No need to worry about over-kill; It's not an iPod it's a Madonna iPod! That shit works.

[fogd00d @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

#8, Trent -- indeed, much of what the fanboys are not understanding here is the power of marketing.

And marketing of GOOD product. There will always be undermarketed niche or boutique products that better the frontrunner, but come ON, not ALL of us are trend-whore stupid. There must be SOMETHING to what they're peddling.

Signed,

A Mac-loathing PC/Linux guerilla who recently re-loved BSD thanks to OSX...

[Blurrz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

#6, I'm pretty sure these machines are after you pass security checkpoints, so it would be hard to steal someone's credit card while past security and get very far...at least not as far as if you stole it before getting through security.

[Vesh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

So, how do you make a return?

[Craig Shergold @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

They might have better luck selling stuff like the T-Mobile Hiptop (Danger Research) or Blackberrys.

Or, just renting them out with shopping-cart-type zone alarms.

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I hope the iPods and other gadgets are fully charged when you buy them. It would really suck to buy something and have to wait until you reach your destination to play with it!

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

The best would be if you could buy the iPod pre-charged, and also at the same Kiosk, buy albums from iTunes and transfer them over to it. (But buying a new iPod would not be required so those of us with one already can just get a new album before a flight!) That would be pretty cool, although I never fly anywhere, so I would never be able to use it.

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Anyone know where exactly this store is at the Atlanta airport? That's a big freakin airport.

[Topmounter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

They are usually near the escalators taking you up from the trains / walkway. In the vicinity of the Wachovia ATM's.

They look NOTHING like what is in that picture, pretty much just snack machines with oversized slots.

I never thought these were all that interesting, especially since there is an AirTunes (or whatever it's called) store right around the corner, but I guess they aren't open 24x7.

I think the target market for these is a business traveler with a laptop that would be able to transfer his or her music library over.

I bought a Ipod Mini at the AirTunes store once because I forgot my Ipod and was going to be on the road for a week.

[troy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Just used this Kiosk this week in Atlanta. Tried to buy some noise canceling headphones. (Would have bought an ipod if they had the new models for sale, (they did not). The machine delivered my headphones, the door opened, and snapped shut before I could get my goods. Long call to the 800 number, still waiting on credit, and the machine screen then had a fatal error and was unusable. So, good idea, but needs work. Would love to not deal with clueless sales people, but you have to make it work, otherwise not worth anyones time.

[RaBId TArG @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I don't know about you people, but I travel with my laptop all the time. If I bought an iPod from this kiosk, I'd have plenty of music immediately available for transfer. And it'd sure beat having to keep my computer out to listen to a few tunes on a flight. And I'm sure you could find a place to charge the thing if it wasn't already. I've done so for my computer more than once.

[gman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

troy, Zoom shops don't charge your credit card unless you receive your item. The ones in Atlanta airport are in Concourse A and C, I think...

[Troy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

gman:

I can assure you they do charge your credit card, no matter if you receive your item or not. Zoom also tried to explain to me that they did not charge for goods not delivered, only after a few hours on the phone with them, and credit card company did they agree the machine made an error, and I could expect a credit within 2 weeks. SO not sure who you work for or what you know, I'm just telling you my one and only try with Zoom was very bad. Had to convince them I did not get my item and the machine was dead, and then they told me they would send out a service person to take care of it, (Little use to me as I WAS just there for a few hours). So I called charge card and disputed the charge and then Zoom agreed it was an error. My point is, is was a huge hassle, regardless of what you say about the charges, I have the proof that's not the case. So buyer beware, until the bugs are well worked out and seems like you are not buying a pack of chips and better service on all ends.

[Troy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

gman:

I can assure you they do charge your credit card, no matter if you receive your item or not. Zoom also tried to explain to me that they did not charge for goods not delivered, only after a few hours on the phone with them, and credit card company did they agree the machine made an error, and I could expect a credit within 2 weeks. SO not sure who you work for or what you know, I'm just telling you my one and only try with Zoom was very bad. Had to convince them I did not get my item and the machine was dead, and then they told me they would send out a service person to take care of it, (Little use to me as I WAS just there for a few hours). So I called charge card and disputed the charge and then Zoom agreed it was an error. My point is, is was a huge hassle, regardless of what you say about the charges, I have the proof that's not the case. So buyer beware, until the bugs are well worked out and seems like you are not buying a pack of chips and better service on all ends.

[gman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

troy--I caught a news segment on Zoom Systems a couple weeks ago, and it said that they used optical sensors to make sure you received your item before they charged your card (ie, took it from the bin). That sucks it was a hastle for you though... I guess they still have some bugs to work out. =/