When Pepsi introduced their social vending machines based on sending drink gifts via messages to a friend's cell phone number, I wrote: I’m a little leery about the security issues related to having vending machines store people’s names and their cell phone number. I also think that this system would work better using NFC (Near Field Communications). Apparently, Coca-Cola was thinking something similar when designing their vending machine.


Read More: Buy a Coke Using an NFC-enabled Android Phone at a Vending Machine?

I found this new concept pretty interesting and have been wondering if it is really worth all the excitement it has been generating. Nokia looks to be involved in one of the first location-based technology vending machines. You may think that it seems to be a cool match, but will the connection last beyond its introduction at Social Media Week?


Read More: Nokia Creates Foursquare Check-In Vending Machine

Developers all over the world have been taking Apple's slogan "there's an app for that" very seriously. The latest case in point comes from China where Ubox has apps for Android, iPhone and Java-based feature phones to provide mobile payment services for products in vending machines.China Has an App For Vending Machine (Video) (MICgadget.com)The app works like a debit card. People who want to use the service sign up for Ubox's service and deposits funds into the account. Vending machines outfitt [...]

Read More: There’s an App to Pay for Vending Machine Products (in China)