Which of course increases the cost of the device, and then you have to purchase it from a third party
Find me a handheld PoS device with WiFi and the option for secure internet access and an option for home-grown apps on the cheap for under $200 and you?ll have a point.
Which of course increases the cost of the device, and then you have to purchase it from a third party
What are we talking about here? I just linked that case as an example because it had a video of an iPod touch being thrown into walls and off balconies. The iPod Touch we are talking about here already comes with a case. Clearly the cost would include an iPod Touch and the case containing the card reader and bar code scanner. that doesn't necessarily make it more expensive than a symbol device (I don't know the prices).
What are we talking about here? I just linked that case as an example because it had a video of an iPod touch being thrown into walls and off balconies. The iPod Touch we are talking about here already comes with a case. Clearly the cost would include an iPod Touch and the case containing the card reader and bar code scanner. that doesn't necessarily make it more expensive than a symbol device (I don't know the prices).
The really crappy ones can be had around $400 and even less, but the ones Apple uses retail for over $1000. Some of them retail for over $2000, the last time I checked. Other companies sell cheap ones more in line with the $400 offerings, but they are all pretty bad that price point. Slow, buggy and not easy to use.
If these or another company jumps into it they really could hurt their business. Some may even have to go the app and accessory route to better compete, like Tom Tom is doing with GPS. There is certainly money to be made here.
The really crappy ones can be had around $400 and even less, but the ones Apple uses retail for over $1000. Some of them retail for over $2000, the last time I checked. Other companies sell cheap ones more in line with the $400 offerings, but they are all pretty bad that price point. Slow, buggy and not easy to use.
And, I believe, for the ruggedized, "6-foot drop" models, they are all well over $1,000.
EDIT: And, of course, the US military uses the iPod Touch on the battlefield, so it must be reasonably rugged to begin with.
Find me a handheld PoS device with WiFi and the option for secure internet access and an option for home-grown apps on the cheap for under $200 and you?ll have a point.
It would be hard, and this may very well work for Apple, in their controlled environment. I am just saying that this PoS system, may not work that well in the other environments that the symbol devices work well in, like warehouses, production environments, backs of trucks, outside etc.
Especially if it can be combined with one of the new Mac Mini servers.
Customised software, a few iPod touches with the cases, Mac mini server and an airport = a fairly good solution for a small business which could easily be sold as a package.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
The really crappy ones can be had around $400 and even less, but the ones Apple uses retail for over $1000. Some of them retail for over $2000, the last time I checked. Other companies sell cheap ones more in line with the $400 offerings, but they are all pretty bad that price point. Slow, buggy and not easy to use.
If these or another company jumps into it they really could hurt their business. Some may even have to go the app and accessory route to better compete, like Tom Tom is doing with GPS. There is certainly money to be made here.
Clearly the cost would include an iPod Touch and the case containing the card reader and bar code scanner. that doesn't necessarily make it more expensive than a symbol device (I don't know the prices).
A few years back, for handhelds that didn't come with those built in, they were very expensive accessories, especially the bar code scanner, since Symbol owns most the IP around scanning.
Honestly the thing looks as FUG as the windows version. Why not have like a blue outer shell. The grey plastic shell makes the device look hella dated, just my opinion.
It would be hard, and this may very well work for Apple, in their controlled environment. I am just saying that this PoS system, may not work that well in the other environments that the symbol devices work well in, like warehouses, production environments, backs of trucks, outside etc.
Can you make a valid argument why a suitcase protective case can’t be produced by a 3rd-party, but Motorola can make one? Hell, the US military has been using iPods in combat zones for years now because they are cheaper than and more versatile than previous devices. If they constantly broke, as you suggest is likely, I doubt they would be using them.
Can you make a valid argument why a suitcase protective case can?t be produced by a 3rd-party, but Motorola can make one? Hell, the US military has been using iPods in combat zones for years now because they are cheaper than and more versatile than previous devices. If they constantly broke, as you suggest is likely, I doubt they would be using them.
The protective case on the Motorola devices is built on, you can't purchase it without it. Some businesses like to purchase things from one place, that way you only have to go back to one place for servicing etc, it reduces supports.
Can you give me a statistic on how many iPods have been broken in combat zones? Can you give me details of the IP rating of the iPod touch, with and without the protective cases?
in fact the "save" button on the screen shot of CC info also has that blue arrow. I'll be wild and guess that means some sort of remote save. Which would also indicate to me that, because the program icon itself has the symbol, the the program is run remotely. IDK wild guess. Actually upon further review, they mean nothing of the sort. There is also the same symbol on the home button. But a remote apps would be cool in in of itself.
To all of the people discussing the little blue arrows in the pictures:
Those arrows are indicators of links to the next slide. These pictures are from the internal interactive training guide created with Keynote. The blue arrows have nothing to do with the device. For example, in the training guide, you can click on "Save" and that will take you to the next Keynote slide about the next step in a transaction.
The risk I am talking about isn't fraudulent charges on your credit card, I am talking about the increased chance of identity theft, which is far more damaging. Pulling information from the credit card is usually how it starts. Why increase the chances by making a purchase from a hand-held device when there is less of a chance of it happening from a fixed point of sale terminal? Best not to do things that make you a target.
oh god, you are so freaking clueless! The credit card info is not stored on the iPod to be "downloaded" later! It's all sent wirelessly (encrypted) to a server within the store where everything is processed, otherwise how would the system even be able to verify whether the card was valid or not??? THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IF YOU DO IT AT A POS TERMINAL! THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WHETHER IT TRAVELS THROUGH AN ETHERNET CABLE OR ENCRYPTED WIFI! So stop complaining about this "hand held device" BS.
Yes it is not 100% safe, but nothing is. Doing it from a handheld device is no different than doing it at a "fixed point of sale terminal" other than ethernet vs wifi. And WiFi is NOT the part you are complaining about, ironically.
Apple does not cater to paranoid old farts who are too stupid to comprehend semi-modern technology. I'm sure all the employees at the store will be much happier if you stay at home and never waste their time with your paranoid delusions.
Jeez, I don't understand how someone so brain-dead can think they are such a know-it-all authority on the matter.
Not only that, but customers can still line up to pay in back. Although an Apple employee will probably let you know that you don't have to line up to pay.... problem solved. The only problem I have is that I don't want a bag and they email you your receipt, so how do you get out the door?
In a supermarket they usually put a sticker on unbagged items. They might do the same in the Apple Store. Of course you can still opt for the paper receipt.
Honestly the thing looks as FUG as the windows version. Why not have like a blue outer shell. The grey plastic shell makes the device look hella dated, just my opinion.
Looks are less important in this context than functionality. While Apple could have used another colour, black is probably more 'pass partout', since it doesn't get have any mood impacts, and is probably cheaper to make. White would have just got dirty. I am trying to think of any stores that have put much marketing into their POS, but I can't think of any offhand.
As for the security issue I hope they are using a secure wireless connection and that the application is using an encrypted protocol. Additionally the server in question is only in the Apple intranet, with possibly a store based server.
There are going to be plenty if people following this, if only for use in their own business.
Does PCI testing validate the security of the device if stolen?
Until some enterprising crook puts on a color t shirt, a fake apple id card and his own version of pay me system that literally pays him.
Probable? No! Possible? Yes!
From Apple's company store at their headquarters you can buy a blue T-shirt with the Apple logo on, that's the exact same shade of blue as their retail staff wear. I've worn it to an Apple store before (by mistake) and been mistaken for staff by lots of people, including a staff member!
I am just saying that this PoS system, may not work that well in the other environments that the symbol devices work well in, like warehouses, production environments, backs of trucks, outside etc.
That may be the case, but, then, this is obviously not intended for those uses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jfanning
Can you give me a statistic on how many iPods have been broken in combat zones?
Actually, for that, and many other uses, that's not really an issue. The more important issue is whether they are "durable enough" and whether the value of the functionality they provide exceeds the cost, including replacements. The Symbol devices, the useful ones, are so expensive that you can break at least a couple iPod touches and still come out ahead in value.
Comments
Which of course increases the cost of the device, and then you have to purchase it from a third party
Find me a handheld PoS device with WiFi and the option for secure internet access and an option for home-grown apps on the cheap for under $200 and you?ll have a point.
Which of course increases the cost of the device, and then you have to purchase it from a third party
What are we talking about here? I just linked that case as an example because it had a video of an iPod touch being thrown into walls and off balconies. The iPod Touch we are talking about here already comes with a case. Clearly the cost would include an iPod Touch and the case containing the card reader and bar code scanner. that doesn't necessarily make it more expensive than a symbol device (I don't know the prices).
What are we talking about here? I just linked that case as an example because it had a video of an iPod touch being thrown into walls and off balconies. The iPod Touch we are talking about here already comes with a case. Clearly the cost would include an iPod Touch and the case containing the card reader and bar code scanner. that doesn't necessarily make it more expensive than a symbol device (I don't know the prices).
The really crappy ones can be had around $400 and even less, but the ones Apple uses retail for over $1000. Some of them retail for over $2000, the last time I checked. Other companies sell cheap ones more in line with the $400 offerings, but they are all pretty bad that price point. Slow, buggy and not easy to use.
If these or another company jumps into it they really could hurt their business. Some may even have to go the app and accessory route to better compete, like Tom Tom is doing with GPS. There is certainly money to be made here.
The really crappy ones can be had around $400 and even less, but the ones Apple uses retail for over $1000. Some of them retail for over $2000, the last time I checked. Other companies sell cheap ones more in line with the $400 offerings, but they are all pretty bad that price point. Slow, buggy and not easy to use.
And, I believe, for the ruggedized, "6-foot drop" models, they are all well over $1,000.
EDIT: And, of course, the US military uses the iPod Touch on the battlefield, so it must be reasonably rugged to begin with.
this...http://www.amazon.com/Incase-Slider-.../dp/B001NK1TYC
Is it a coincidence or not that Incase no longer sells the Power Slider?
I was thinking same thing, the moment I saw that image I thought it looked an awful lot like incase may have been the designer involved.
Find me a handheld PoS device with WiFi and the option for secure internet access and an option for home-grown apps on the cheap for under $200 and you?ll have a point.
It would be hard, and this may very well work for Apple, in their controlled environment. I am just saying that this PoS system, may not work that well in the other environments that the symbol devices work well in, like warehouses, production environments, backs of trucks, outside etc.
Customised software, a few iPod touches with the cases, Mac mini server and an airport = a fairly good solution for a small business which could easily be sold as a package.
The really crappy ones can be had around $400 and even less, but the ones Apple uses retail for over $1000. Some of them retail for over $2000, the last time I checked. Other companies sell cheap ones more in line with the $400 offerings, but they are all pretty bad that price point. Slow, buggy and not easy to use.
If these or another company jumps into it they really could hurt their business. Some may even have to go the app and accessory route to better compete, like Tom Tom is doing with GPS. There is certainly money to be made here.
Clearly the cost would include an iPod Touch and the case containing the card reader and bar code scanner. that doesn't necessarily make it more expensive than a symbol device (I don't know the prices).
A few years back, for handhelds that didn't come with those built in, they were very expensive accessories, especially the bar code scanner, since Symbol owns most the IP around scanning.
It would be hard, and this may very well work for Apple, in their controlled environment. I am just saying that this PoS system, may not work that well in the other environments that the symbol devices work well in, like warehouses, production environments, backs of trucks, outside etc.
Can you make a valid argument why a suitcase protective case can’t be produced by a 3rd-party, but Motorola can make one? Hell, the US military has been using iPods in combat zones for years now because they are cheaper than and more versatile than previous devices. If they constantly broke, as you suggest is likely, I doubt they would be using them.
Can you make a valid argument why a suitcase protective case can?t be produced by a 3rd-party, but Motorola can make one? Hell, the US military has been using iPods in combat zones for years now because they are cheaper than and more versatile than previous devices. If they constantly broke, as you suggest is likely, I doubt they would be using them.
The protective case on the Motorola devices is built on, you can't purchase it without it. Some businesses like to purchase things from one place, that way you only have to go back to one place for servicing etc, it reduces supports.
Can you give me a statistic on how many iPods have been broken in combat zones? Can you give me details of the IP rating of the iPod touch, with and without the protective cases?
The protective case on the Motorola devices is built on...
<sarcasm>Wow! I didn?t realize that. What a reveleation
in fact the "save" button on the screen shot of CC info also has that blue arrow. I'll be wild and guess that means some sort of remote save. Which would also indicate to me that, because the program icon itself has the symbol, the the program is run remotely. IDK wild guess. Actually upon further review, they mean nothing of the sort. There is also the same symbol on the home button. But a remote apps would be cool in in of itself.
To all of the people discussing the little blue arrows in the pictures:
Those arrows are indicators of links to the next slide. These pictures are from the internal interactive training guide created with Keynote. The blue arrows have nothing to do with the device. For example, in the training guide, you can click on "Save" and that will take you to the next Keynote slide about the next step in a transaction.
<sarcasm>Wow! I didn?t realize that. What a reveleation
You still didn't answer the other questions
The risk I am talking about isn't fraudulent charges on your credit card, I am talking about the increased chance of identity theft, which is far more damaging. Pulling information from the credit card is usually how it starts. Why increase the chances by making a purchase from a hand-held device when there is less of a chance of it happening from a fixed point of sale terminal? Best not to do things that make you a target.
oh god, you are so freaking clueless! The credit card info is not stored on the iPod to be "downloaded" later! It's all sent wirelessly (encrypted) to a server within the store where everything is processed, otherwise how would the system even be able to verify whether the card was valid or not??? THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IF YOU DO IT AT A POS TERMINAL! THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WHETHER IT TRAVELS THROUGH AN ETHERNET CABLE OR ENCRYPTED WIFI! So stop complaining about this "hand held device" BS.
Yes it is not 100% safe, but nothing is. Doing it from a handheld device is no different than doing it at a "fixed point of sale terminal" other than ethernet vs wifi. And WiFi is NOT the part you are complaining about, ironically.
Apple does not cater to paranoid old farts who are too stupid to comprehend semi-modern technology. I'm sure all the employees at the store will be much happier if you stay at home and never waste their time with your paranoid delusions.
Jeez, I don't understand how someone so brain-dead can think they are such a know-it-all authority on the matter.
Not only that, but customers can still line up to pay in back. Although an Apple employee will probably let you know that you don't have to line up to pay.... problem solved. The only problem I have is that I don't want a bag and they email you your receipt, so how do you get out the door?
In a supermarket they usually put a sticker on unbagged items. They might do the same in the Apple Store. Of course you can still opt for the paper receipt.
Honestly the thing looks as FUG as the windows version. Why not have like a blue outer shell. The grey plastic shell makes the device look hella dated, just my opinion.
Looks are less important in this context than functionality. While Apple could have used another colour, black is probably more 'pass partout', since it doesn't get have any mood impacts, and is probably cheaper to make. White would have just got dirty. I am trying to think of any stores that have put much marketing into their POS, but I can't think of any offhand.
As for the security issue I hope they are using a secure wireless connection and that the application is using an encrypted protocol. Additionally the server in question is only in the Apple intranet, with possibly a store based server.
There are going to be plenty if people following this, if only for use in their own business.
Does PCI testing validate the security of the device if stolen?
Until some enterprising crook puts on a color t shirt, a fake apple id card and his own version of pay me system that literally pays him.
Probable? No! Possible? Yes!
From Apple's company store at their headquarters you can buy a blue T-shirt with the Apple logo on, that's the exact same shade of blue as their retail staff wear. I've worn it to an Apple store before (by mistake) and been mistaken for staff by lots of people, including a staff member!
I am just saying that this PoS system, may not work that well in the other environments that the symbol devices work well in, like warehouses, production environments, backs of trucks, outside etc.
That may be the case, but, then, this is obviously not intended for those uses.
Can you give me a statistic on how many iPods have been broken in combat zones?
Actually, for that, and many other uses, that's not really an issue. The more important issue is whether they are "durable enough" and whether the value of the functionality they provide exceeds the cost, including replacements. The Symbol devices, the useful ones, are so expensive that you can break at least a couple iPod touches and still come out ahead in value.