The iPhone As A Purchasing Device?
12.27.07 - 03:05pm
Apple has just filed a new patent that may reveal what the iPhone could become - much more than just a mobile computer, but also a new way of getting through life. The iPhone could also become a purchaser of products at McDonads, Starbucks and more.
The patent says “A processing system is described that includes a wireless communication interface that wirelessly communicates with one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment. The wireless communication interface receives a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at least one of the wireless client devices. A local server computer located in proximity to the establishment generates instructions for processing the remote order received from the wireless communication interface. The local server computer then passes the processing instructions to an order processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order.”
In simplified terms you could order your Starbucks while browsing other stores, get a message saying that it was received and when it was expected to be completed and then go and pick it up without having to stand in the never ending coffee line.
The patent also describes a way to then track the customer, where they go to, what they bought etc, etc. Maybe not something you so want to think about, but the cafes you eat at would love to have that information presumably in order to serve you better. You would most likely soon be getting the “coffee of the day” in text messages as well as the lunch special at your favorite restaurant. All in a days work for the iPhone and Apple.
Apple would most likely first implement the patent in Starbucks where it has already created a large presence with the iTunes Wi-Fi Music store. Coffee and Apple fans would likely go hog wild over having their coffee ready when they get there.
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