iPod Vending Machine

Scott Hughes — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:09:00 -0700

When flying back to Texas from Pennsylvania last weekend, Nicole and I had a layover in Atlanta. While waiting on our plane, we noticed this vending machine tucked away beside the regular shops. It can dispense an iPod Mini, iPod Shuffle, or any of the various iPod accessories. Also, if you made it to the airport with your PowerBook, but forget your wireless card, you can purchase an AirPort card from the machine.

Typically, when one is faced with such a huge convenience (especially in an airport), one would expect a significant markup. I was surprised to find that each item was at the regular retail price, same as if you ordered it from Apple.com or bought it at an Apple retail store.

But here’s a thought… If I go ahead and drop $200 on an iPod mini at the airport, what am I going to do with it? It doesn’t come preloaded with songs. I mean, other luxuries at the airport like the portable DVD-player rental places at least give you the player and some movies. I suppose the only scenario in which this is terribly useful is if your grandparents are flying out for your graduation and they waited until they got to the airport to find a present for you… But will your grandparents want to buy something from a kiosk?

Global Reset: iPod Vending Machine

iPod Vending Machine