A look at Apple's iPod touch-based EasyPay system
Posted Nov 4th 2009 2:30AM by Dave Caolo
Last week, we learned that Apple would be revamping some US retail stores, including a new iPod touch-based point-of-sale (POS) system. A new scanner accessory allows Apple to replace the old Windows CE-based sales handhelds.Gary Allen of ifoAppleStore has given AppleInsider an exclusive look at the thing, and it's pretty cool (that is, if retail hardware is your bag). It's an iPod touch with a magnetic stripe reader, a barcode scanner and Apple's proprietary payment-processing software. The iPod rests inside what AppleInsider calls a "slip-on shell" that plugs into the dock connector; it includes its own battery to power the two scanning peripherals.
Apple Store employees will use the devices to accept purchases made with credit cards, debit cards and cash; they can even make returns and activate a new iPhone.
It looks like a clever device. If you see one in the store (or if you use one), tell us what you can.
[Via The Apple Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
yosifisoy said 3:10AM on 11-04-2009
so how does it use a stylus for signature input?
isn't the touch screen only sensitive to skin touch?
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Joanna D said 4:01AM on 11-04-2009
The stylus has a layer of skin from a dead animal (usually a pig or a cow) on the end.
Michael Rose said 7:37AM on 11-04-2009
It's electrostatic.
http://tenonedesign.com/stylus.php
Jansperus said 11:29AM on 11-04-2009
This will help explain things:
http://www.crazyapplerumors.com/?p=887
mboblett said 3:27AM on 11-04-2009
Actually, a variety of materials can be used to simulate the touch of a human finger, and a number or styli have been released. Apple even submitted a patent application for gloves that would allow the user to use the multitouch feature set while wearing them by employing special pads on the tips. I image that any lightly conductive material could be used.
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rosymarshal said 3:51AM on 11-04-2009
This is actually kind of cool. Hopefully, they’ll also work a lot better than those crappy Winmo devices that always seemed to lock up or not work properly.
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Joanna D said 4:00AM on 11-04-2009
They still need a separate reader to process credit/debit card transactions?
Wow. What an oversight. Chip readers are really cheap these days, I wonder why they left them out?
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A.J. said 5:15AM on 11-04-2009
they didn't forget... you swipe it right off the side
Joanna D said 5:20AM on 11-04-2009
I used to work in a store which accepted cards. Most (if not all) cards will be declined these days if you swipe them rather than using the chip.
Rory said 7:50AM on 11-04-2009
The US does not do chip and pin yet. Actually I don't think I've seen a chip reader here since I left working for a financial institution that was testing it several years ago.
ecobore said 5:18AM on 11-04-2009
Yep, chip and pin is THE way... Stops credit card fraud stone dead IF the owner of the card doesn't let somebody watch over their shoulder and or write their number down in their wallet (DOH!)
Can't understand why the US hasn't adopted this European wide initiative. It has HUGELY cut cc fraud here.
And this little device doesn't support it! c'mon, magnetic stripe is luddite tech!
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Dan said 11:18AM on 11-04-2009
Chipped cards only don't go through when swiped IF that reader supports reading chips. Otherwise, imagine all the problems people would have when business use outdated readers or the readers that just store your information until later to process (like for delivered pizza or ordering drinks on an airplane).
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bobby said 1:00PM on 11-04-2009
Will this be made available for small businesses to purchase? I have been using a couple apps on my iPhone to process orders and run credit cards at my trade shows, but having something like this would make like much easier.
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Bill said 2:02PM on 11-04-2009
I too have been using various apps for processing payments on the iphone. Thus far I enjoy using Billing however a swipe feature may be welcomed:
Check them out: http://www.spartadata.com
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jonathan neil said 3:00PM on 11-04-2009
Anyone else see the irony in a removable battery and mini USB port for charging?
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puhsitch said 6:21PM on 11-04-2009
To be fair, the battery is only there for the card reader and barcode scanner, not the iPod.
Dause DuVall said 4:55PM on 11-04-2009
This is the same case that was used for Incase Iphone external battery/hard case. Whoever had those cases for Incase made the these for Apple.
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