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McDonald’s plans to bring AI voice technology to its drive-thrus
Fast food is about to get even faster. McDonald announced today that it is buying the voice tech startup Apprente so it can automate its drive-thru menu. The Mountain View-based company specializes in building voice-based agents that can take orders in multiple languages and accents. The fast food giant has been testing Apprente's technology in several locations and expects it will allow for "faster, simpler and more accurate order taking" at its drive-thrus.
McDonald's ends UberEats delivery exclusive by adding DoorDash
If you suddenly have an urge for McDonald's at home, you won't need to go through UberEats to get it. The fast food chain has expanded its delivery options to include DoorDash. The rollout will start in Houston, where the courier option will be available in over 200 restaurants starting on July 29th. McDonald's will also be part of the DashPass subscription service, so you won't have to pay extra for delivery if you regularly get your Big Mac fixes at home.
Charge your phone with KFC's new take-out box
Suppose you've just fired up Yelp to hunt down the nearest KFC, texted your friends to get their order and then posted a sweet victory Snapchat of your crispy haul. That probably just took a chunk from your smartphone battery -- but don't worry dudes, KFC's got your back with a device charger in your take-out box. Just don't try to plug it in while you're fingers-deep in greasy chicken.
Burger King starts online order and home delivery trial in the UK
We've all been there. It's raining outside and you're nursing a horrendous hangover from the night before. All you really want is a greasy Double Whopper with large fries and an ice cold Sprite, but the thought of stepping outside is too much to bear. "Why doesn't Burger King do home deliveries in the UK?!" You cry from the murky depths of a small duvet cocoon. Well, today your prayers have finally been answered. The fast-food chain is trialling such a service for eight of its restaurants across Britain, covering Northampton, Romford, Truro, Hornchurch, Gants Hill, Hull, Skegness and Hayes. Delivery is free for eligible postcodes and Burger King will accept orders both online and over the phone from midday to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm. The trial is only for three months, but the company says it's planning a wider national roll-out later this year. McDonald's is yet to offer such a service, but if this takes off we suspect it won't be long before the golden arches follow suit.
Taco Bell's new app makes it easy for you to order on the go
Earlier today, Taco Bell's site and social networks went completely dark, making some curious people wonder what the fast food chain had up its sleeve. This time, however, it wasn't a Doritos-infused taco or a fresh breakfast menu of sorts. Instead, Taco Bell introduced an all-new mobile application, which allows iOS and Android users to place orders and pay directly from their smartphone. But in case this wasn't enough, the app will let you customize various menu items and, by using location services, pick them up whenever you're close to your location of choice. Taco Bell says it won't make the food until customers arrive, this way it will taste just as fresh as they had imagined it -- simply put, the popular chain wants everyone to "skip the in-store line like you own the place." Assuming you can handle the aftermath of a Taco Bell meal, the app is a pretty good idea.
McDonald's releases McPlay app: 'Hey kids, this is advertising'
McDonald's has awkwardly tried to enter the App Store marketplace with an app it calls "McPlay," available for free on the App Store right now. I wouldn't recommend a download (personally, I've boycotted the golden arches for almost a decade now), but it is fascinating to see the fast-food giant not quite understand how to do iOS-style marketing. The app is just one game at the moment, asking players to throw a ball into a Happy Meal box. And McDonald's is obviously being as careful as it possibly can with this one. Not only is the app all about gathering nutritious food for kids, but there's a "for parents" nutrition section, and as you can see in the screenshot above, the app proudly proclaims, "Hey kids, this is advertising!" Funny. I think there is room for McDonald's on the App Store -- big brands like Starbucks and Walmart have seen some interesting success by integrating iPhones into their marketing plans. But this is just plain goofy, and it shows that the biggest fast-food chain in the world wasn't quite sure what to do with its first iOS entry. Better luck next time, McD's. [via App Advice]
Virginia Beach McDonald's adds free iPad use to its menu, McRib still seasonal
In an age of grab and go eating, it seems somewhat odd that a fast food restaurant would feature an attraction that causes its patrons to drop anchor and stay. However, the house with well over one billion served is doing just that. A Virginia Beach McDonald's has leveraged the popularity of another Big Mac maker, by stocking its location with free to use iPads. Yes, the tablets are mounted on tables, but after polishing off a hearty array of Mcfixings, you're likely to be bolted to your seat as well. Franchise owner Hugh Fard got the idea while attending the annual worldwide McDonald's convention in Florida. While it's great to see major eateries incorporating the use of new technology, we can only wonder just how greasy shiny those fancy Retina displays will be after spending a day under the golden arches.
Taco Bell to serve up free WiFi and in-store TV, keep you LOL'ing through Fourthmeal
The border runners at Taco Bell have fallen behind the ginger clown and his posse of hamburger-loving friends in terms of connectivity, but the fast food franchise will soon rectify that with the introduction of free WiFi at 5,600 locations over the next four years. In an attempt to keep you connected whilst stuffing your face with Beefy Melt Burritos, Taco Bell has teamed up with Indoor Direct to bring in-store WiFi and a specially branded TV network to the chain. Diners will apparently be encouraged to interact with content running on the network, with enticements to download free music, receive opt-in text messages, and engage in social media campaigns. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to resurrect that pot-stirring little chihuahua.
McDonald's interactive Pong billboard brings big-screen elation, tomorrow's lunch
You could enjoy that Big Mac in the peace and artery-clogging quiet of your local McDonald's, or you could just catch the next flight to Stockholm, where Ronald apparently serves his meals with a side of interactive, outdoor gaming. It's all part of something called Pick n' Play -- a new (and pretty ingenious) ad campaign that invites pedestrians to play a game of Pong on a giant Mickey D's billboard, using only their smartphones. All you have to do is stand in front of the display, log on to Pick n' Play's site from your handheld, and wait for your phone to verify your location. From there, you'll have to manipulate an onscreen paddle using your device's touchscreen, while doing battle with a game that gets increasingly more difficult. Last thirty seconds, though, and you'll get a free, lipid-drenched treat of your choice, courtesy of the Golden Arches. Best of all, you won't even have to download an app to get your Pong on -- putting you one step closer to that coronary you've always wanted. Trot past the break to see it for yourself.
White Castle offers online ordering but makes you leave couch for pick-up
Do you crave hamburgers but also want to minimize your interaction with fellow human beings? Then your unicorn-riding white knight has arrived, in the form of White Castle's new online ordering service. Thought not quite as handy as Domino's UK-only SMS ordering, the feature is rolling out to all 400 US locations. The website lets you "customize your sack" however you please; it also has a pretty high (or non-existent?) limit on quantities, meaning 1,000,000 Bacon and Cheddar Sliders will set you back $1,190,000. That could be a bug or a feature, depending on how hungry you are. Sadly, no matter how large your order you'll still have to go to the burger joint to pick it up -- delivery is still just a beautiful, beautiful dream. Maybe they can partner with MIT for a print-on-demand service.
KFC sponsors Backbreaker Football's lite iPhone version
Developer NaturalMotion has signed a deal with restaurant chain KFC to brand the free "lite" version of its Backbreaker Football game for the iPhone. For a month, the sponsored title will offer up 10 new waves to play through, as well as a special "Chicken Dance" touchdown celebration, all courtesy of the Colonel's own marketing budget. The full version of the game (which contains more gameplay modes and the chance to customize your characters) is also on sale for 99 cents on the App Store. So, whether you just try a bite or go all-in, you can start hitting torsos even harder than the Double Down does.
Burger King uses 'musical shower' as latest trick to entice Japanese clientele
A new Burger King eatery opening up in Japan isn't usually something we concern ourselves too much with, but this one comes with an interesting new twist. Those umbrella-aping translucent cones hanging over the tables are known as "musical showers," and their function is to deliver music in an isolated fashion to you and your significant -- but not too significant, it's still BK, after all -- other. All you'll need to do is plug your portable media player into the provided receptacle and the tunes you know and love will literally shower down upon you. To be honest, if the audio channeling is sufficiently precise not to disturb nearby punters, we're loving this idea. Now just give it a name that won't make teenagers giggle and bring it westwards.
McDonald's Japan trains employees with new DSi game
Nintendo's partnership with McDonald's in Japan has been extended to help train the restaurant chain's employees in the finer details of fast food assembly. Bloomberg visited McDonald's training center in Japan to get some hands-on time with the training simulation (video embedded after the break), discovering that the golden arches-branded DSis will be distributed to McDonald's all over the country for training purposes. Aside from unveiling the training software, Japanese McDonald's reps showed off their undeniably stylish work uniforms and surprisingly friendly demeanors. We can't help but attribute at least part of the latter's explanation to the fact that these folks are playing with Nintendo DSis at work. Better than flipping burgers, no? [Via Kotaku]
Windows 7 Whopper claims its first victim (video)
Few brave souls will even attempt to consume the Windows 7 Whopper, and fewer still will achieve that first dyspepsic bite -- as you can plainly see in this video. Indeed, we were sure that this was some sort of promotional stunt for Microsoft in Japan, but reports are filtering in that these have been available in Texas for years now. Of course, in the Lone Star State it's not called the Windows 7 Whopper, it's called "lunch." [Via Pocket-lint]
Burger King selling a Windows 7 Whopper in Japan
Confirming our belief that Japan is at once among the coolest and craziest places on this planet we all call home is Burger King's exclusive Windows 7 Whopper. Seven stacked beef patties extend your usual Whopper to over five inches in height and the whole thing costs an appropriate ¥777 (or $8.55). It'll be available for one week only -- or seven days, get it? Join us past the break to see the full towering size of this meaty monstrosity. [Via Electronista] Update: Andy Yang, our Engadget Chinese editor, has read the smallprint and noted that in fact only the first 30 customers each day will get the Win 7 Whopper at ¥777, with the rest shelling out a cool ¥1,450 ($17.10) for the privilege. Way to break with the number 7 theme, guys.
Wendy's giving away 'Ultimate Game Room' for a buck
It's not just cholesterol and square burgers that Wendy's is serving up, but gaming gear as well. A tipster sends word that the "waaaay better than fast food" fast food chain is running an online promotion called '99¢ Bid for Value,' with an "Ultimate Game Room" to be won for $1. The catch? This is a "reverse auction," with visitors answering trivia questions in order to bid down a prize's price tag. The first auction-goer to reach 99¢ first wins the haul, with an Xbox 360, gaming chair and plasma television all up for grabs. A different prize is set to go up on the blocks every half hour starting at 11am EST today. The auction breaks down like this: 11:00 AM EST – 11:29 AM EST Microsoft - Xbox 360 Elite Console 11:30 AM EST – 11:59 AM EST Ultimate Game Chair - Ultimate Game Chair V3 12:00 PM EST – 12:29 PM EST Panasonic - 50" 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV 12:30 PM EST – 12:59 PM EST Ultimate Game Room - Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Console, Ultimate Game Chair V3, Panasonic - 50" 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV So set your watches, make with the clicking and good luck.
Wendy's becomes Wendy'z for Petz in-store promotion
It seems that while advertisers in the UK are discouraging gamers from eating fast food (or playing games, for that matter), US fast food chain Wendy's is partnering with Ubisoft to offer toys based on its uber-popular Petz series, according to Brandweek.com. During a five-week campaign in stores, customers picking up a Wendy's "Kids Meal" will receive one of a variety of Petz-themed items: a Petz Catz PC game, Petz Dogz PC game, a Catz balancer ball, a Dogz plush toy or a copy of the Petz-themed card game.Astute readers will note this isn't the first time Wendy's has partnered with a video game company for an in-store promotion, though this time around, we're betting Jack Thompson isn't getting up in arms over the less than inflammatory nature of the product involved.
Burger King offering free Wii toys in exchange for money, good health
It's that time again, everybody: time to sheepishly visit Burger King every day and buy a Kids' Meal for Nintendo freebies, all while trying to shut out thoughts of how disappointed your father would be to see you like this. Shame, shame.The fast food chain is giving away a bunch of different toys based on the Wii and its games, and all it wants in return is cash and a willingness to clog up your own arteries. We like the "Chain Chomp Launcher" the best, though the "Float and Go Boo" and "Light-Up Luma" are also nice. Plus, we can always keep telling ourselves we'll sell all this on eBay in the future for a small fortune. Yes, that'll do: it's an investment in our future. Pictures and details of all ten follow the break.
We didn't Order Up! this stale video
We really want to be charmed by Order Up!, but this gameplay video was more sleep inducing than a lecture on the merits of drying paint. We just can't help but feel a bit of a "been there, done that" vibe when it comes to this upcoming SuperVillain Studios title.The promise of restaurant management elements seem like the game's one saving grace, as it sets Order Up! apart from the Cooking Mamas and Diner Dashes of the world. We would have much rather preferred to see a gameplay video of how the sim stuff works. However, since the game did show some initial promise, we'll approach it with an open mind when it releases in late July.On a related note, Amazon and other retailers list a $39.99 price point for Order Up! Do you think that's still too high for the title, or does $40 hit your virtual restaurant-loving sweet spot? Gallery: Order Up!
A more intimate look at the Nintendo Spot service
Click to enter gallery Remember that story we ran about McDonald's recently? No, not the one about no more free Wi-Fi, the other story. The one about the download service in Japan. Got it? Good.Well, Inside Games recently checked out the service and did a nice little write-up. Of course, some of you knew what the service looks like because you checked out our gallery of screens (below, if you're late to the party), but if you're looking for some additional screens depicting the service at work, hit up Inside Games.%Gallery-23702%
