If you look at the full size photo you can see that these are actually just the iPod Shuffle Sport Case, not the iPod itself

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=266434243&size=l

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I think the iPod vending machine never caught on because it's not something you can use immediately, like a soda or candy bar. You need to charge it with power and fill it with music, and you need to have your computer with you to do it. Doesn't seem like an impulse buy type of item, unless you forgot someone's birthday while you were on that trip. ;)

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The new Shuffles aren't shipping yet. They would probably have the old ones until they do.

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There's a huge double-sided iPod machine in the mall near me, I'll take couple pictures and post them to the TUAW group when I have a chance.

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Still, Japan is way ahead of the US as far as vending machine contents. You can buy eggs, vegetables, video games, noodles, used school girl panties, cell phone recharging, lobsters, DVD's, CD's, beer, whiskey, along with your usual soda, ice cream, candy, tea and sushi.

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I just saw one (iPod vending machine) the other day in a department store.

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@ Kurt Vander Bogart - ...used school girl panties?! wtf?! take a picture; I dont believe :p

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last time i was in the atlanta airport i saw at least 2 ipod vending machines and that was in only one section of the airport.

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@ Ink Master... its true, i saw one of those in tokyo's narita airport, sadly i din't have a pic lol

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I went into this exact hotel just a few weeks ago to use the bathroom inside of it....I was very suprised when I saw this machine and showed all my friends. I don't know if I would be willing to buy an ipod shuffle from a vending machine though...sounds a little risky to me

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http://andy.zero1labs.com/tmp/Photo_100306_001.jpg

http://andy.zero1labs.com/tmp/Photo_100306_002.jpg

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They probably aren't so popular because, well, where do you return it if you have a problem with it?

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I've been traveling a lot recently and there's at least one of these in every international terminal I've been in. Talk about an impulse buy for a long flight!

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Costco has bunches of the old ones, not for much of deal though, the 4gb black nano was only $30 cdn cheaper than a new one.

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If you buy and iPod at an airport kiosk, how are you gonna get tunes onto it? If you have your laptop with you, why not just listen to the tunes from there? Plus, iirc, the iPods don't have much (if any) battery charge in them at purchase, so you'd also have to find a power outlet.

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There's an iPod vending machine in a San Francisco Macy's. I was visiting, so I don't recall the specifics of which one, but it was cool to see. As of last week they had all new iPod minis.

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I'd guess the marketers weren't thinking about people using the iPods themselves, but more likely buying them as last-minute gifts. The number of travelling business-people who are panic buying for their kids is frightening.

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What I want to know is where you'd find a vending machine that stocks soda, water, candy, iPod accessories (and presumably iPods, too), and condoms (see upper right corner of photo). Now that's a variety of products.

(on the way through JC Penny) "Hold on, guys... I gotta get some Coke, snow caps, a video iPod and some latex contraceptives. I got a very busy night planned. Where's my credit card?!?"

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Japanese panty vending machine:

http://www.borg-cube.com/pix/japan2004-pam/japan2004-pam-Pages/Image43.html

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