As reported on TechCrunch, Apple has applied for a patent that will allow iPhone users to go right through the line when shopping at certain coffee shops and other retailers.
Some say this technology has been around for years and Apple shouldn’t be allowed to put a patent on it while others think retailers won’t accept doing business this way because of the way they market to consumers while they are standing in lines waiting to pay for items.
With the prices manufactures pay to be near the cash register, it only makes sense that this would be detrimental to their sales causing them to no longer pay for their products to be in that particular location.
While some retailers in Japan and other overseas markets have already implemented such emobile commerce options, it remains unseen how Apple plans to have users pay for their items. Will it be with a credit card or will the iphone device have an internal banking system that draws right from your bank account?
Either way, with identity theft on the rise, entering your personal information through text or by voice is a risky thought for many people. Some people only see the advantages of being able to pay for items right from your iPhone to save time and make shopping more convenient. It’s the long term effects that will strike everyone in the retail industry that must be taken into consideration before implementing such technology on a widespread scale.
Apple’s patent application is vague on how consumers will pay for items using this mobile technology making it appear less likely they will get their application for a patent approved.
What do you think about it?
December 29th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Hmm i wonder if they’ll get the patent or not..im vouching for a yes!
December 30th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I think they will not get their new patent..
In many point of views itz proved that they will not get the new patent..
I am vouching for NO
January 1st, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I don't believe that patents for this sort of thing should exist. Concept patents on procedures are dangerous and stifle the market from being able to grow creatively. I would hope Apple would not get a patent for this.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:54 am
“retailers won’t accept doing business this way because of the way they market to consumers while they are standing in lines waiting to pay for items.’
This is why it won’t fly. Apple is very innovative but this one comes down to societal rules.
January 5th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Wow. Nice news. Thanks
January 10th, 2008 at 5:01 am
I think more competition the better!
You go Apple!
February 10th, 2008 at 4:26 am
I don’t think they should get the patent. It doesn’t really sound like a good idea to me.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I think that technologies like this should not be patented. Apple is innovative, but everyone should be able to use the technology, not the only Apple…
February 10th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I’m vouching YES. Maybe they will not get it, but I think they should