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Not a "people person?" Get an iPhone

by Brett Terpstra Feb 14th 2008 at 2:00PM

Anthropophobic* iPhone users have something to look forward to. You may remember that Apple filed a patent for an iPhone-based payment system back in December. The system would not only allow payment without interaction, but could be used as a full ordering and fulfillment notification system. But even before the patent was publicized, Phil Lu was already figuring out how to minimize any human contact with a system concept called QuickOrder.

Phil's proposal is designed around Starbucks purchasing, and it would allow ordering and payment from your iPhone. QuickOrder uses Semacode barcode technology to link iPhones to coffee orders; as he told Gizmodo, this would allow payment using your iTunes account and bypass the credit card transaction entirely. You could order from afar, pay with a finger swipe and -- if it's anything like the Starbucks I'm used to -- pick up your coffee without saying a word. For those not inclined towards being near other living beings, you're in and out with your coffee fix and nary a "hello." I feel palpable levels of anticipation emanating from hermitic sects of iPhone users everywhere.

And yes, despite a certain amount of sarcasm, I do think it's a very cool idea, even though I actually enjoy my daily chats with baristas. And I do love the mockups Phil created.



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Anthropophobic* iPhone users have something to look forward to. You may remember that Apple filed a patent for an iPhone-based payment...
 

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Luis

I really hope this gets implemented. Maybe this way they better understand our order.

February 19 2008 at 11:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Catt

When does this app go live? I can't wait. I don't mind interacting with people I get to do this all day but when it comes to placing orders at Starbucks I like getting in and out as fast as I can w/out too much gabbing. I tend to order custom versions of their stuff anyway so this would cut down on the odd looks I often get when I place my orders.

February 15 2008 at 8:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doc

Above and beyond the "Bucks" app the semacode possibilities finally coming to America would be awesome. I spent all of last year in Japan where semacode and cellphones go together like salt and french fries. They do everything from jump to to a website by pointing you camera phone to a flyer, poster, magazine ads to helping you "get the digits" by focusing your camera on some willing to exchange hottie's screen. The fastest to exchange phone number and contact info i've ever seen. Quite handy i might add. They are even used to pass savegame info on video games from one arcade to the next.

Please get us some semacode... soon

February 15 2008 at 6:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Todd Lambert

Ha... yes, I think this concept is not only coming, but is going to spread to most aspects of retail merchandise and service markets.

I posted a lengthy diatribe about this awhile back, if anyone is insterested: http://toddlambert.com/edition14/iphonev2/

February 15 2008 at 10:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jonathan

I object to the use of the medical term "anthropophobic". I am a misanthrope, not and anthropophobe! :)

February 15 2008 at 10:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shawn

I love the idea. Not soly because its the iphone or starbucks. But I would love to only carry around a PDA device. As thats what the iphone is.

I dont want to carry around credit cards, I dont want to carry around my drivers license...etc....I would LOVE to make all payments with this "devise" and not have to worry about anything else.

PDA's have already replaced the writs watchs, imo. They also have replaced business cards as you can "beem" it to someone else now. Other countries have been billing things on their phones....its time for the USA to get up to par.

February 15 2008 at 9:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dieohd

Again with this? Raise your hand if you think this would ever get picked up by Starbucks and put on to these devices.

February 15 2008 at 7:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
austin

its the edge ipod touch!

February 14 2008 at 11:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
matthew

Richard, check out Lu's QuickOrder page. That's exactly how this month-old story appeared on his site, and on the blogs that carried it early Jan '08.

February 14 2008 at 5:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Richard

Why do people keep slapping iPhone GUI screenshots/mockups on an iPod touch?

February 14 2008 at 4:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Richard's comment
bibi-pov

because this would work equally well on a touch, as it would obviously use starbucks' wifi, not edge.

February 14 2008 at 4:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Richard

I'm sure that's the case, but that doesn't excuse blatantly false and misleading imagery.

February 14 2008 at 4:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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