iPods in Vending Machines - my take on it
Okay, today I read this interesting post on iPods in vending machines and thought to myself, would I really want to buy an iPod FROM A VENDING MACHINE?!? The answer is absolutely not. First off, what colour would I get? It would really suck if I got pink for myself. The reason being is that DRM would very likely make it so there is no music on the iPod from the very start and of course, I have two options from this point.
The first option would be to hook it up to my MacBook Pro and sync it with iTunes and download the latest iPod software (assuming I can even get an Internet connection). The benefit from this is that all my music would already be on the iPod and I can play it when I get on the plane. The problem is that I will be draining my MacBook’s battery life and I kinda like to work while I am on a flight. Normally, with flights across Canada, this wouldn’t be a serious issue, but if my flight has to connect somewhere (it’s inevitable), I am probably going to need a bigger battery - especially while waiting in airports where most of the people in departures speak French and only French (like Montreal).
The second would be for a last minute gift. Of course, I would personally prefer if it were in the packaging that you would normally see when you look for an iPod at Future Shop or what not. This would make the fact that you shopped for their christmas/birthday/whatever gift at the last minute inconspicuous. And if you can’t do that, it’s just as tacky as buying your anniversary gift at a gas station and handing it to your wife, still in the bag.
So, why would they be in vending machines you ask? Well, the reasoning behind it is that you will probably have already cleared customs or security and you will probably be busted by Homeland Security before even make it 3 metres. The security at certain airports would make it highly attractive to have these things in vending machines. Plus, you have a captive audience that might think to themselves “well, I’ve always wanted an iPod” while they are sitting there, waiting for their flight. As for me, I’ll continue to buy iPods from Apple.com or Future Shop.
December 30th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
I think the colors are on different shelves. Or maybe the machine just knows what color is where. But I agree with you, we should stick to Apple stores when buying iPods.
December 30th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
I wouldnt either but only if i really need one and when the stores are closed. you can always go to walmart theyre open 24 hours
Do you know where i can get those Zunes packed with porn?
December 30th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
Perhaps if the iPod you got was pink, it was the vending machine trying to tell you something…
December 30th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
Britt: Yeah. That way, you can choose your warranty and everything. Plus, it’s usually a better idea to load your ipod with music BEFORE leaving for the airport.
Ralph: Why the hell would you want a Zune? They are Microsoft’s biggest failure.
Mr. Fab: No. Just, no. Never.
December 30th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
I was kidding,
have you heard about the Zune packed with porn from walmart?
December 30th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Hahaha.
December 31st, 2006 at 12:12 am
I actually saw ipods being sold in a vending machine at my local Convention Center. I didn’t know it was to be a common place thing. All I could think of was “only in California”
December 31st, 2006 at 12:13 am
Yeah. And yet, Calgary hasn’t gotten it’s first Apple store yet.
April 29th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
There is an iPod vending machine in Bloomingdales (I think) in the Roosevelt Field Mall on Long Island in New York. It’s a huge machine with several variants of iPods in retail packaging. When you make the purchase you pick the one you want from the colors, and models that you see in the machine. You would not get a “random” iPod color. The only downside that I see is if you happen to get a defective unit, you would have to go through Apple, where most stores would exchange it for you on the spot.
I saw the machine a few months ago, so I don’t know if it’s still there, but it probably is. I think it was in the Jr. Women’s department, but I don’t recall exactly. I was just walking through the store.