Spotted at DFW: Sony Reader vending machine!

Taylor514ce · 06-23-2008, 01:39 PM

One can purchase the Sony Reader from a vending machine at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Swipe your credit card, and it's yours!

My apologies for the poor picture quality.

Related: Sony Vending Machines (Kiosks)

pilotbob · 06-23-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor514ce

One can purchase the Sony Reader from a vending machine at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Swipe your credit card, and it's yours! My apologies for the poor picture quality.

What was the price?

BOb

RickyMaveety · 06-23-2008, 01:47 PM

Now, that's a good idea. They should set up a Kindle machine too ... that way you could load up on books before your flight.

Does the Sony come with books already in memory?? Or, is the purchaser supposed to link up to their computer via wifi at the airport??

The only reason I hate to use wifi at the airport is ... it's usually so expensive.

pilotbob · 06-23-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Does the Sony come with books already in memory?? Or, is the purchaser supposed to link up to their computer via wifi at the airport??

The only reason I hate to use wifi at the airport is ... it's usually so expensive.

Unless it's free like at the Tampa (redneck) airport.

BTW: My sony came with some sample ebooks pre-loaded.

BOb

RickyMaveety · 06-23-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Unless it's free like at the Tampa (redneck) airport.

BTW: My sony came with some sample ebooks pre-loaded.

BOb

You are never going to let me live that comment down ... are you bOb??

Taylor514ce · 06-23-2008, 01:55 PM

Price was retail: US$299.99. All units I've seen come with samples pre-loaded. This begs the question of who would buy it from an airport vending machine. I can only guess the answer is "someone who has been hearing about these, thinking about it, has a few hours and a few hundred bucks to spend".

That said, I did see someone buy 3 PSP games, and another person buy a set of expensive headphones. So, who knows?

I use WiFi at airports, but I'm not the one paying. An increasing number of people (based only on my own personal observation) are using cell-phone network cards, so that's an option, too. EVERYONE is toting a laptop, so it's actually conceivable that someone buys a Reader, loads the software, connects to the internet, and starts downloading the 100 Free Classics, while waiting around at the airport.

RickyMaveety · 06-23-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor514ce

Price was retail: US$299.99. All units I've seen come with samples pre-loaded. This begs the question of who would buy it from an airport vending machine. I can only guess the answer is "someone who has been hearing about these, thinking about it, has a few hours and a few hundred bucks to spend".

That said, I did see someone buy 3 PSP games, and another person buy a set of expensive headphones. So, who knows?

I use WiFi at airports, but I'm not the one paying. An increasing number of people (based only on my own personal observation) are using cell-phone network cards, so that's an option, too. EVERYONE is toting a laptop, so it's actually conceivable that someone buys a Reader, loads the software, connects to the internet, and starts downloading the 100 Free Classics, while waiting around at the airport.

Yeah .... I could see that. And, I've been thinking about getting one of those cards myself.

However ... for me at least, I think that's when the convenience of Whispernet is really going to shine. It will be nice not to have to go through all of the extra steps just to grab a book.

In fact ... I do hope they continue to put a lot of the best sellers in Kindle format. It has been my experience that the bookstores at the airport charge an arm and a leg, and part of your left butt cheek, for books. I like the idea of browsing in the bookstore, and then just popping over to the Kindle store and getting a copy.

You know .... either way, going through the computer or going straight from internet to ebook .... isn't life just grand once you've taken the leap to an ebook???

pilotbob · 06-23-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

You are never going to let me live that comment down ... are you bOb??

Naw... never is a long time

[Jimmy, don't aim that shotgun at your sister... just at the rats.]

BOb

DixieGal · 06-23-2008, 02:48 PM

I think that may just possibly be the coolest thing I've ever seen. Didn't we speculate about such a kiosk type setup only a week or so ago? I remember filing it in my head under "retirement income ideas." But the idea of a vending machine is just orders of magnitude better than a manned kiosk.

The last airport book I bought was a thin throwaway paperback for 13 euros. That was when I decided it was past time to get an electronic reader.

So PH: Are they new machines, or did they look like used ones? That seems like too good of a price to be an airport price for a new one.

pilotbob · 06-23-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I think that may just possibly be the coolest thing I've ever seen. Didn't we speculate about such a kiosk type setup only a week or so ago? I remember filing it in my head under "retirement income ideas." But the idea of a vending machine is just orders of magnitude better than a manned kiosk.

I think there was talk about a kiosk to buy eBooks and plug your ebook reader into it to get them. But, this is a nice idea too. Of course, I think Sny is following Apples lead... it was several years ago when I heard about the first iPod vending machine.

BOb

Taylor514ce · 06-23-2008, 02:54 PM

299.99 is the MSRP, and that's what they sold for. This was all new equipment. Whenever I say "kiosk" I always mean an un-manned, self-service, automated gizmatronic thing. This was simply a vending machine, no ebook downloads.

DixieGal · 06-23-2008, 02:59 PM

[QUOTE=pilotbob;203268]Of course, I think Sny is following Apples lead... it was several years ago when I heard about the first iPod vending machine./QUOTE]

I had no idea Apple did that! I'm learning so much interesting stuff today.

Oh, and kiosk to me is a hotdog cart. Another possible "retirement income idea." Also, I picked up an idea from a man in the Bahamas who had a great business, made $100 in one hour per day, then spends the rest of the day at the beach being retired. I'm not gonna tell what it is, but it involves sand and rum. :-)

BTW, I'm thinking of retirement ideas, because in 4 more years, I'll retire at age 51. So I'm thinking of fun things to do a couple of hours per week, so that I won't turn into my dad. Early retirement made him a very depressed, unpleasant, and unfulfilled man, because he was retired for longer than he worked.

wallcraft · 06-23-2008, 03:24 PM

The vending machines are by ZoomSystems. So far as I can tell, there are two Sony Access kiosks at DFW (terminals A and D1) but no others. There are lots of iPod vending machines.

MickeyC · 06-23-2008, 03:25 PM

Same thing happened to my dad. He retired with no plan or anything to do. Just thought something would come along and he was miserable.

MickeyC · 06-23-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I think there was talk about a kiosk to buy eBooks and plug your ebook reader into it to get them. But, this is a nice idea too. Of course, I think Sny is following Apples lead... it was several years ago when I heard about the first iPod vending machine.

BOb

That's a great idea to have vending machines you plug your reader into and buy books. Great thing to have in an airport.

Mind you, I am so paranoid about running out of books on my Sony, I always have a half dozen or so unread books in my queue.

06-23-2008, 01:39 PM	#1
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Spotted at DFW: Sony Reader vending machine! One can purchase the Sony Reader from a vending machine at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Swipe your credit card, and it's yours! My apologies for the poor picture quality. Related: Sony Vending Machines (Kiosks) Attached Thumbnails

06-23-2008, 02:59 PM	#12
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	[QUOTE=pilotbob;203268]Of course, I think Sny is following Apples lead... it was several years ago when I heard about the first iPod vending machine./QUOTE] I had no idea Apple did that! I'm learning so much interesting stuff today. Oh, and kiosk to me is a hotdog cart. Another possible "retirement income idea." Also, I picked up an idea from a man in the Bahamas who had a great business, made $100 in one hour per day, then spends the rest of the day at the beach being retired. I'm not gonna tell what it is, but it involves sand and rum. :-) BTW, I'm thinking of retirement ideas, because in 4 more years, I'll retire at age 51. So I'm thinking of fun things to do a couple of hours per week, so that I won't turn into my dad. Early retirement made him a very depressed, unpleasant, and unfulfilled man, because he was retired for longer than he worked. Last edited by DixieGal; 06-23-2008 at 03:04 PM.

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06-23-2008, 01:47 PM	#3
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	Now, that's a good idea. They should set up a Kindle machine too ... that way you could load up on books before your flight. Does the Sony come with books already in memory?? Or, is the purchaser supposed to link up to their computer via wifi at the airport?? The only reason I hate to use wifi at the airport is ... it's usually so expensive.

06-23-2008, 01:55 PM	#6
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Price was retail: US$299.99. All units I've seen come with samples pre-loaded. This begs the question of who would buy it from an airport vending machine. I can only guess the answer is "someone who has been hearing about these, thinking about it, has a few hours and a few hundred bucks to spend". That said, I did see someone buy 3 PSP games, and another person buy a set of expensive headphones. So, who knows? I use WiFi at airports, but I'm not the one paying. An increasing number of people (based only on my own personal observation) are using cell-phone network cards, so that's an option, too. EVERYONE is toting a laptop, so it's actually conceivable that someone buys a Reader, loads the software, connects to the internet, and starts downloading the 100 Free Classics, while waiting around at the airport.

06-23-2008, 02:48 PM	#9
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I think that may just possibly be the coolest thing I've ever seen. Didn't we speculate about such a kiosk type setup only a week or so ago? I remember filing it in my head under "retirement income ideas." But the idea of a vending machine is just orders of magnitude better than a manned kiosk. The last airport book I bought was a thin throwaway paperback for 13 euros. That was when I decided it was past time to get an electronic reader. So PH: Are they new machines, or did they look like used ones? That seems like too good of a price to be an airport price for a new one.

06-23-2008, 02:54 PM	#11
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	299.99 is the MSRP, and that's what they sold for. This was all new equipment. Whenever I say "kiosk" I always mean an un-manned, self-service, automated gizmatronic thing. This was simply a vending machine, no ebook downloads.

06-23-2008, 03:24 PM	#13
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The vending machines are by ZoomSystems. So far as I can tell, there are two Sony Access kiosks at DFW (terminals A and D1) but no others. There are lots of iPod vending machines.

06-23-2008, 03:25 PM	#14
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Same thing happened to my dad. He retired with no plan or anything to do. Just thought something would come along and he was miserable.

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