News

Motorola Tests Phone Vending Machines

By the Betanews Staff | Published September 21, 2006, 12:55 PM

Motorola launched a pilot program in the United States in which it will sell phones and accessories via vending machines it calls "robotic stores." Dubbed Instantmoto, the machines will sell about 30 products, including unlocked phones like the RAZR and Motorola Q.

The technology is provided by San Francisco-based Zoom Systems, which manages the networked "stores" from a central location. Initially, 20 malls and airports will play host to the Instantmoto, although Motorola may expand the program depending on its results. Vending machines with electronics are commonplace in Japan, but new to the United States.

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minus_seven_fold
Sep 21, 2006 - 10:14 PM

I wonder what kind of tracking device it has? Since alot of crimanls would like to use these machines.

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jbaltz69
Sep 21, 2006 - 6:22 PM

I am still waiting for a vending machine where I can buy beer.

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sjc001
Sep 21, 2006 - 7:09 PM

You're going to have to wait for a very long time. Beer is a restricted item. There use to be cigarette vending machines as well, but now they are illegal.

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fibreiv
Sep 21, 2006 - 11:50 PM

I'm sure as soon as your old enough to buy it legally it will come out. Seems it's always that way.

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Nebulous
Sep 22, 2006 - 2:41 AM edited

just come to europe

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dougggg
Sep 21, 2006 - 1:54 PM

I am still waiting for a vending machine where I can point my cell fone at it to buy something. I thought they started this in Japan 10 years ago???

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sjc001
Sep 21, 2006 - 7:10 PM

They've have those throughout Europe as well for quite a while now. North America is very slow to adopt cetain technologies than others are.

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^M^
Sep 22, 2006 - 7:49 AM

In fact that has been "the coming thing" in Europe for a while now, but it's not widespread at all.

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samanathon
Sep 21, 2006 - 1:21 PM edited

Here is a picture of the Zoom Store in Atlanta:
http://flickr.com/photos/samanathon/117242690/

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