Originally published December 1 2005
U.S. vending machines to sell iPods
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The "robotic product delivery systems" from Zoom Systems have been in operation since spring in malls and airports. Customers who want to return their iPod can mail it back to Zoom Systems within 30 days for a refund.
Apple Computer's hot digital music players may be better associated with the company's hip Apple Stores, but in the past few months they've also popped up next to less exotic products in special vending machines built by Zoom Systems.
Since spring, the San Francisco company has been selling IPods across the US in "robotic product delivery systems" (don't say the words "vending machine" around Zoom Systems executives; they find the term archaic).
The first IPods were sold in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and the players can now be found in "Zoom Shop" machines operating in malls, hotels and grocery stores across the country, the company said.
Though Zoom Shops sell plenty of other products, including digital cameras and snacks, the IPod is the top seller, said Rick Cusick, Zoom Systems' executive vice president of merchandising.
Buying music to play on the IPod, however is slightly more complicated, and since Zoom Shops do not sell tunes for the players, people may be reluctant to pick up an IPod to help kill time during a long flight.
Having just phased out the IPod Minis, the company is now selling the IPod Shuffle and IPod nano in its machines.
Zoom Systems hopes to have more than 100 of its mechanical shops in operation by the end of this year and is planning for about 600 machines next year.
In addition to Atlanta, the machines can be found at San Francisco International Airport, and Zoom Systems is in negotiations with 30 other airports, hoping to make the machines a common sight for US travelers.
But IPod fans who are wondering how to get 796 quarters through airport security need not worry: the Zoom Shops take credit and debit cards, not cash.
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