CES’s last echoes show me a nifty iPod vending machine

15 Comments

by Matt Hickey on January 12, 2008

Though things like this are common in Japan, you don’t see them much here in the States. I snapped this iPod vending machine in McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, as I prepare to board a plane to San Francisco to attend MacWorld. The prices were the same as retail, which was good, but I don’t understand something. Things out of vending machines are impulse buys, at least usually. The draw here seems to be getting an iPod before that long trip, in case you forgot yours or don’t even have one. But it comes out of the machine naked, with no songs or video. So, really, what’s the point? Am I missing something here?

Comments

Steven - January 12th, 2008 at 7:19 pm GMT+5

We’ve had those around Mid-GA for a few years… pretty nice little machines.

Albert - January 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm GMT+5

it would be useful as an impulse buy gift.

sir jorge - January 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm GMT+5

i wouldn’t waste my money

Carlos - January 12th, 2008 at 8:58 pm GMT+5

we have had those in Orange County, Ca. for a while now. Theres atleast one in every malls around here including many retail shops and many times they are out of ipods and some of the accessories.

Zach - January 12th, 2008 at 9:12 pm GMT+5

I’ve seen one of these at Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville, Texas. It looks really cool. Only problem is that they don’t accept cash and they only sell Nanos and headphones.

olly - January 12th, 2008 at 9:29 pm GMT+5

I saw one of these in SeaTac in Seattle flying out over the holidays… I thought the same thing as you until my wife (who is apparently infinitely smarter than we are) pointed out that if you have your laptop with you, with your music on it, it’d be simple enough to sync up to your new iPod.

Still, if you don’t have your laptop with you I don’t see the point either.

-olly

MindHacker - January 12th, 2008 at 9:44 pm GMT+5

Its funny that you mentioned that we don’t see much of them here in the states. I actually live in Vegas, and those damn iPod vending machines are in every Vons, CVS, and corner store around here. My initial thought the first time I ran across one was that it would never last and that would be the first and last one that I ever saw. But they just keep popping up …. who is buying the damn iPods out of the vending machine?!?!? WHO?!?!?!

Jose - January 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm GMT+5

My guess is that they are targetting mainly foreign tourists. The ipods are much cheaper in the states, and if someone is passing thought the airport (connection?) they could purchase the ipod without going to Best Buy, etc.

I’ve had friends ask me to purchase and carry iphones and ipods when I go to Europe or Asia.

yoshi - January 13th, 2008 at 12:29 pm GMT+5

I bought my last iPod from one of these machines a year ago. Do you have electricity and indoor plumbing yet?

ThePlaz - January 13th, 2008 at 1:06 pm GMT+5

The idea someone mentioned about accessories is a good point – perfect for a gift or charging your iPod if you forgot the cord.

Vy - January 14th, 2008 at 1:09 am GMT+5

I saw something like this in Marrieta, GA a while back… My guess on your question is that it’s probably targeted at people who have their laptops with them… Maybe? Then they can transfer the music from laptop to iPod while waiting and then listen to it during the flight… Just a guess…

Neal - January 14th, 2008 at 7:32 am GMT+5

There’s one in a local mall. I’ve wondered about sales because old iPod models are in the machine for months after new versions are released.

My guess is, you wouldn’t have to sell very many iPods to make a profit.

Mark - January 14th, 2008 at 8:28 am GMT+5

Here’s another one in Jersey: http://pinoymaclovers.blogspot.com/2006/11/ipod-vending-machine.html

You’ll see some models are actually sold out so I guess people actually buy from those machines. I actually think it’s a good idea. It’s probably quicker than lining up at an Apple store to get one.