kiosks
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New York’s next Shake Shack doesn’t want your cash
Shake Shack is opening a new location later this month in New York City that will play host to a few functional experiments, CNBC reports. The upcoming Astor Place burger joint is going the self-checkout direction and will have digital kiosks rather than staff who take customers' orders.
KeyMe aims to replace locksmiths with kiosks in more cities
If you lock yourself out of your home or car, you typically have only one option -- call a locksmith and hope they can get to you quickly. But you'll pay a small fortune for their time and expertise. New York-based startup KeyMe wants to change all that. The company, whose iOS and Android apps digitally scan images of your keys and store them in the cloud, today announced it plans to aggressively expand to more cities around the country, opening over 2,000 self-serve kiosks by the end of this year.
PS4 demo kiosks will let you try out Sony's baby, if you can find one
If you're itching to go hands on with the PlayStation 4's super comfy DualShock 4 prior to next month's launch, Sony has you covered. Today the company announced it's rolling out PS4 demo kiosks stocked with a handful of games to select retailers, and to help you locate one, Kaz and friends setup a website to find a store near you. It isn't working exactly as planned however, and instead of showing if your local Best Buy or GameStop has a unit on display, it's populating results with rather peculiar listings in addition to Sony stores. Numerous tweets are reporting units listed everywhere from solar panel companies to massage parlors; our only local setup is listed at a computer shop, for instance. We called a local Best Buy and were told the store had a unit set up, but a trio of GameStops said they wen't sure if or when they'd have one. Even if you have to call your favorite store and check availability before trekking out, it might be more convenient than Microsoft's major-city bus tour.
Windows 8 now available to try at Best Buy
Microsoft's already opened up the floodgates with Windows 8 pre-orders, and it looks as if those still on the fence now have a sandbox to goof off in. Pictured above is a trio of Windows 8 notebooks from a Best Buy located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and we actually called around to confirm with several other stores that a similar setup had been erected in their locales. Nah, we can't make October 26th get here any faster, but at least you know where to head if you're looking for a sample.
Intel's Core i3 NUC mini-boards set to hit market in October, power up hobbyists and OEMs
Intel has finalized the specs of its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) board, and announced it'll go on sale in October for less than $400 with a case and power supply. Carrying a 4 x 4-inch form factor between a Raspberry Pi and mini-ITX board, it'll be equipped with a Core i3 Ivy Bridge processor, HD 4000 graphics, two SoDIMM sockets, an mSATA slot for an SSD drive, three USB ports, one HDMI port and a mini-PCI slot for wireless connectivity. Two different models will be offered by the chip giant, identical except that one will be Thunderbolt equipped and the other will sport an Ethernet port for connectivity. Originally intended for the kiosk and signage markets, enthusiast interest compelled Intel to put the board on general sale, along with a case (pictured above) and power supply option. That'll pit it against offerings from VIA and others, while offering considerably more oomph in a similar form factor -- though a mini-server slaying Core i5 option originally proposed by Intel was dropped. [Image credit: PC World]
Intel's NUC mini-desktop said to cost around $400
Intel's Next Unit of Computing mini-desktop is reportedly going to cost around $400 when it arrives in the third quarter of the year. Designed for kiosks and digital signage setups, the weeny box has attracted so much interest from solder-wielding modders that the company expects it to go on general sale. The initial unit will include a Sandy Bridge Core i3, 4GB RAM and a 40GB SSD, while on the outside it'll come with three USB 2.0 ports and dual HDMI outputs. That high price might dampen the spirits of those hoping for an Intel-powered Arduino / Raspberry Pi, but we still expect to see it crop up in plenty of brilliant mods next year.
Intel enters mini-computer fray with Core i5-powered NUC
The mini-computer game has so far been dominated by upstarts such as FXI and Raspberry Pi, but a big name is getting ready to join the party, too. Intel first demoed its NUC (Next Unit of Computing) at PAX East in April, but details are just hitting the web now. One standout spec is the NUC's 10 x 10-cm (4 x 4-in) form factor, which places it between the Raspberry Pi and Mini-ITX boards in terms of size. Moreover, the NUC packs a Core i3 / Core i5 Sandy Bridge chip with last-gen Intel HD 3000 graphics, and sports Thunderbolt, HDMI and USB 3.0 sockets on the back. There's a heatsink and fan assembly on board, too, and the mini PCIe connectors leave the door open for added functionality. Because it runs an Intel Core i5 CPU instead of the ARM processors found in options such as the Cotton Candy and Raspberry Pi, the NUC promises to be a more powerful mini-desktop. But don't get too excited: Intel envisions it as a component in digital signage instead. Look for Intel's mini-PC at a kiosk near you in the second half of 2012, when it's expected to drop.
VIA adds Android support to embedded x86 line (video)
VIA is hardly the first hawker of x86-based chips to start bragging about its Android compatibility, but it certainly doesn't want to be left behind as the open source OS starts worming its way into more and more machines. The EITX-3002 is the first of its offerings to sport official support for Google's OS. At the heart of the Em-ITX board is your choice of a 1.2GHz NANO X2 or a 1GHz Eden X2, and a VX900H, which casn push 1080p video to dual monitors. The target devices are obviously touch-based systems like in-car entertainment computers and kiosks. To see the board in action head on after the break and, please, try to stay calm -- we all know how exciting Froyo-based kiosks are.
Redbox passed 30,000 kiosks in Q4 2010, but still missed financial expectations
Redbox may be a red-logoed stepchild compared to industry darling Netflix, but according to its parent company Coinstar's Q4 earnings call, it still managed to pass the 30,000 kiosk milestone, increase market share to 30 percent and grow DVD revenue by 38 percent to $319.6 million. Combined with blowing by one billion rentals back in September and avoiding a lawsuit with Fox, the news would have culminated in champagne and karaoke for Coinstar shareholders... except for one thing: new releases underperformed during the last quarter along with Blu-ray rentals. Coinstar CEO Paul Davis was quick to bolster investor concerns on the call, however, stating company management had taken "definitive steps to correct the issues" and was ready to "leverage the First-sale doctrine" -- which refers to a Supreme Court ruling limiting the control of copyright holders over the re-selling of its property -- should studios get sassy in future distribution negotiations. More updates on the company's streaming plans didn't materialize, though, so you'll have to chuck those dreams of instant rental gratification for a buck back in the deep freeze at least in the near term. Otherwise, hit up the source links below to ogle data tables to your heart's content.
Malaysia Airlines now offers iPad check-in (video)
It's getting easier and easier to enjoy in-flight entertainment on Apple's briskly moving tablet, but why wait till you get to the gate to dive in? If you're flying out of Kuala Lumpur, you can play with that 9.7-inch IPS touchscreen while you daydream of that time that watched Entrapment with your soulmate, book your flight, find departure times and even check in at dedicated kiosks. Adapting its iPhone application MHMobile for iPad use, Malaysia Airlines has installed five terminals at Kuala Lumpur Sentral so far -- where the company presently serves just 900 customers a day. See the interface in action after the break, or just download the existing app at our more coverage link if you're in search of that elusive globetrotter feeling.
Redbox CEO suggests $1.50 rate for Blu-ray rentals
Along with the repeated indications Redbox would expand its Blu-ray rentals this year, there's been hints that it would have to raise prices beyond its standard $1 / night DVD rate. Home Media Magazine reports President Mitch Lowe mentioned during his keynote address at the Entertainment Supply Chain Academy Edge conference that the likely price is $1.50, which seems low enough to keep customers happy and -- judging by the recent slew of deals -- will apparently keep Hollywood studios happy also. to that end, his speech also cited NPD data indicating customers said they wouldn't rent or purchase many of the movies they obtain at the kiosks any other way, while 41% of customers rent before making a decision to buy. Also on deck for Redbox are sales of catalog titles for $5 / $7 / $9 -- so let us know, would you appreciate the option to buy, not just rent, from your nearest vending machine?
Blockbuster DVD kiosks creeping into New England supermarkets
Look out Redbox, Blockbuster is coming. The rental giant is expanding its test program with NCR, planning to deploy kiosks in all 57 Big Y locations in Massachussetts and Connecticut by September 3, with a familiar $1 per night pricing scheme. No word on any Blu-ray discs being tucked into these automated movie towers, and while 57 locations is hardly on the level of Redbox's thousands of self service locations, we wonder if this is just the beginning of a push to the "10,000 kiosks installed within 18 months" goal stated by NCR CEO Bill Nuti a year ago, but we suppose we'll know they're big time when the movie studios start suing.
Fox and Warner want 30 day kiosk rental windows, maybe Netflix too
In this economy everyone is looking for ways to decrease costs and increase income, but evidently that might not be good news for those of us who prefer to rent movies. While Redbox has already filed suit against Universal and now Fox in response to them imposing a 30 day delay, starting in October, Warner will simply "change its terms". The interesting twist here is that the new 28 day delay from Warner also applies to "mail-order subscription services" -- but there is a new day-and-date revenue sharing option. This should be fun to watch play out, but we'd be shocked if Netflix and the studios didn't work something out, and hope that Netflix won't also have to involve the law in order to protect its first-sale doctrine rights. Read - Redbox files suit against Fox Read - Warner offer kiosks titles 28 day delay
It's a done deal: Dell puts an end to all 140 US mall kiosks
Just as we feared, Dell will indeed be axing 100-percent of its US mall kiosks -- 140 in total. Unsurprisingly, the official word attributes the move to Dell's shift into big box retail stores, but we're sure that's not the least bit consoling to the fine folks who were pushing Round Rock's machines to mall-goers just yesterday. According to Tony Weiss, vice president for Dell's Global Consumer business, the move "fits in with how its broad global retail strategy is evolving," and for whatever it's worth, kiosks outside of US borders are still safe for now. You may still be getting a Dell, but dude, it won't be from the mall.[Image courtesy of NotebookReview]
Qflix brings CSS to download-to-burn DVDs: a new day has dawned
It's been a long time coming, but the major Hollywood studios have finally agreed to amend the CSS (content scrambling system, found on store-bought DVDs) licensing restrictions to include support for both commercial and private download-to-burn options. First mentioned last summer, this new agreement uses technology from Sonic Solutions called Qflix (initially adopted by Movielink) to slap that good ol' digital lock on discs that consumers burn either on their PCs or at in-store kiosks like the ones Wal-Mart and other big box retailers have been planning for some time now. Of course you can already burn downloaded flicks to DVD through CinemaNow's aptly-titled "Burn to DVD" service, but compatibility issues have relegated this option to merely a stopgap solution. While Qflix burns should be readable by any old player that supports CSS, the downside is that new media and -- in some cases -- new drives will be required to perform this neat little trick (some current burners can apparently be made Qflix-compatible through firmware upgrades). Besides the studios, other companies that are down with Qflix include disc manufacturer Verbatim, video-on-demand provider Akimbo, your friendly neighborhood Walgreens, and of course, Movielink. It's not clear when consumers will start seeing this these new devices and kiosks in the wild, but rest assured that you'll soon have a way to spend those 10 to 15 minutes waiting for your prescription that doesn't involve sitting next to a bunch of sick people in a germ-ridden pleather chair.
Another Wii demo kiosk in the wild documented
While our first report of a kiosk going up did not actually show the station on, a south Florida resident found an erected kiosk, fully hooked up, at his local GameStop store. Also, he was the first one to try the station out. What's interesting is that he had to turn in his keys in order to obtain the Wiimote to play as it was not tethered to the kiosk, leading us to believe that it could be quite easy for someone to run off with a Wiimote. Also, the only available demo on-hand was Excite Truck.Spotted a kiosk at your local GameStop or EB Games? Take a picture and send it in![Thanks friedgreenmushrooms!]
With Wii demo kiosks, you will not be alone
In the 35th edition of IGN's Nintendo Minute feature, Senior VP George Harrison talks a bit about the Wii demo kiosks. Focusing on the two different packaged demo stations, George says that Nintendo has asked any retailer utilizing one of their stations to have staff on-hand to help anyone curious about the console. George states:"We have spent considerable time designing in-store displays that will best showcase the Wii console's unique games and provide an entertaining experience for players while still fitting well into a retail environment. Wireless controllers will be used and we are asking retailers to have staff available to help consumers have a successful first experience with Wii."George also goes on to describe the two different demo kiosk stations and talk a bit about where you'll be able to take the Wii for a spin at one of these demo stations.
GameStop has Wii kiosk exclusivity
In what seems like a strange new development in the marketing of the Wii, it's been announced that only GameStop will play home to the Wii kiosks we recently saw. Considering how new and different the Wii is, we'd think Nintendo would want to put it into as many hands as possible. Of course, there's little to stop a store from setting up their own playable units, but if certain rumors are true, we may not be seeing the Wii everywhere this winter after all. The Motley Fool's Rick Munarriz recently offered an interesting perspective on the news -- likely different than what most of us would have thought. Nintendo, they say, will have no trouble selling units, and when they sell out, the fact that GameStop will be the only gig in town if one wants to try it out will turn into good publicity for both companies. In fact, he says, having the Wii there, at GameStop, ready and able, will snag more of the hardcore gamers when they come in to buy other things. Could there be some truth to that, or is it just another case of a non-gamer theorizing in the dark?
Wii kiosks are for reals!
As is shown in this video, the leaked pictures of Wii kiosks are actually real. "For really real?" you ask. "Why yes son, as real as anything real in this world. As real as leprechauns, unicorns, and the ever-elusive Yeti, or his North American cousin, the Sasquatch," we replied. We then noticed there wasn't anyone else in the room.We'd also been narrating to ourselves.[Via Wii UK]
Are these the PS3 and Wii demo kiosks?
As you've probably already discerned from the headline and the pictures themselves, the images above supposedly depict the demo kiosks that Sony and Nintendo will be setting up in retail locations to lure people into buying the PlayStation 3 and Wii, respectively. Since the photos are low-res, a little blurry, and of unknown origin, they have all the makings of a jolly good Internet hoax, but we'll play along for now and assume that they're the real deal. So, what new information can we glean about the upcoming consoles based on their respective kiosks? Well, by mounting the LCD so high, Sony is obviously targeting taller individuals with its marketing strategy, while Nintendo is going after the brainier crowd as evidenced by the lack of any informational pamphlets adorning its display. With all of this speculation swirling around, one thing is certain, though: tucked behind the Wii kiosk's center column are a bevy of first aid kits, for the inevitable injuries that will occur when arm-swinging gamers collide with innocent passers-by in the impending blood baths sure to plague our favorite big box retailers.[Via Joystiq]
