Kingston unveils flash storage vending machine in UK

We wouldn't recommend hopping on the next non-stop flight to London Gatwick Airport's North Terminal or anything, but for those passing through in dire need of an extra SD / CF card or USB drive, Kingston's got your back. Joining SIM cards, iPods, digicams, shoes, and all sorts of other bizarre goods, Kingston's self-branded vending machine will doll out presumably overpriced flash memory to travelers in need. Reportedly, New Jersey-based MyMemory will be operating the machines, and of course, they will all be open 24/7 for your late night (and mid-day) flash storage requirements. Interestingly, the UK units will supposedly utilize the oft hacked Chip & PIN technology, which means the countdown to gobs of free memory (and a high-speed police chase) has officially begun.

[Via EverythingUSB]

[BlackCoffeeNoSugar @ Apr 10th 2007 9:27PM]

Can you use this machine if you only have an old school American swipe-and-sign credit card? Before the use of chip-and-PIN, to buy a ticket from a ticket machine in any UK train station all you need to do is choose the ticket and insert and take out your card. No signiture is required.

[guilt+1 @ Apr 10th 2007 9:38PM]

MyMemory Ltd
FREEPOST 500
St. Helier
Jersey
Channel Islands
JE1 1AF

That's in the UK not "New Jersey" USA.

Sort it out.

[Ben @ Apr 11th 2007 12:34AM]

I dunno if this is hardly news... My college had a vending machine that took credit cards like 9 years ago and vended everything from CD-Rs to ethernet cards (desktop, laptop, wired and wireless)... You could also get memory cards in it. You could also get professional quality blank video and audio tapes to use in the Media studios... Go Blue!

[Deezee @ Apr 11th 2007 1:19AM]

If they had one of these where I live somebody would have taken a sledge-hammer to it by now. Maybe me.

[tv junkie @ Apr 11th 2007 4:45AM]

I was amazed to find a "Proactiv" vending machine at a mall the other day. basically you see the jessica simpson infomercial then press the touch screen on Proactiv solution you want then swipe your credit card...pretty fancy. But I'm sure the Japanese have ever crazier ones, they have vending machines at every street corner.

[jay chin @ Apr 19th 2007 1:11PM]

there have been a bunch of these automated stores around the US now since before last xmas. I've seen them in malls, airports, macys and even grocery stores (smith's in utah during a ski trip). I've seen sony stores and motorola stores. and the robotic arm is way cool to watch in action (I haven't bought anything but almost did many times). here's the company behind them: www.zoomsystems.com and even youtube video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgTe7meOro4

[Gman @ Apr 11th 2007 4:54AM]

Wow a mem stick machine here at my work will have to go check it out, will report back prices :)

[yet another Matt @ Apr 11th 2007 5:48AM]

My uni has had these kind of vending machines for months now. Some company in Bristol makes them, it sells Ethernet cable, Webcams, Flash memory, CD-Rs, everything. Accepts coins and card with chip and pin, really reasonable prices too.

[Dan @ Apr 11th 2007 5:59AM]

Everything is chip and pin in the UK now and, yup, St. Helier is definitely in Jersey in the Channel Islands (not 'New Jersey'!) but since it has its own government it's not technically part of the UK. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:British_Isles_Euler_diagram.svg

[Trent @ Apr 11th 2007 11:54AM]

Hey a junk RAM machine next to the junk food machine!

I can't wait until some dumb Texan tries to steal one of these machines by dragging it down the street with their pickup truck.

(I'm a Texan myself, so I'm qualified to make this allegation.) ;-)

[Matt Carrell @ Apr 11th 2007 10:58PM]

This is definitely NOT news.. I saw a vending machine for IPods in Las Vegas at the Hilton near the Star Trek experience outside door entrance like a year ago.. and it had been in the news long before that. Flash memory? Um... OK. Not sure how many people on the street are pondering a flash memory purchase... This is truly a niche marketing idea that isn't going to go far.