store in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex has implemented what’s called Shop ‘n Scan — customers with a preferred savings card pick up a handheld scanner at a kiosk and as they pick up groceries, scan in the barcodes. The hardware is from Symbol and NCR, which connects to a Wi-Fi network powered by Cisco APs. As the customers come to the checkout, they can finalize the purchase by transmitting the scanned data to the register. They can pay as they arrive — no more standing in line, except to hear “paper or plastic.” Albertson’s will be “thoroughly evaluating the customer feedback” on this public trial to see if it should move the Scan ‘n Save feature into the rest of its 2,300 store brands (including Acme, Sav-on, Osco, and others). — April 8, 2004
If that’s not enough of a group hug, consider RoamPoint then. This is an independent launch of Inspired Broadcast Networks’ The Cloud (a WISP in the UK) to try and link hotspots though a “centralized hub” and thus allow a consistent interface for roaming over multiple networks — RoamPoint will be the broker for all payments to the hotspots. Only the Cloud apparently is signed on so far, but the Register seems to think they’ll announce mobile phone operator and hotspot operators partners next week — enough to cover 5000 hotspots. Intel backs RoamPoint, but only in name, not with cash. — April 6, 2004