Dec
28
2007
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Apple is apparently seeking to patent a system that would make it possible for customers to use a wireless gadget to place an order at a cafe or fast-food restaurant and pickup the order without waiting in line.
If the “wireless communication system” described becomes a product, then it would transform Apple into more than a computer and iPod maker and online seller of music and video. Instead, Apple would also become a middleman between restaurants, cafes, and possibly other merchants and their customers.
Apple as usual refuses to comment on any future products, but its patent applications can provide a hint as to where the company is at least thinking about heading. In the latest filing, Apple is apparently looking at going beyond its recent deal with Starbucks, which enables coffee drinkers to download music and video to their iPhones while enjoying a latte.
The latest application, filed Dec. 20, described a system in which a person approaching a cafe, fast-food, or take-out restaurant could place an order that would be received by an in-store computer. The person’s order would be treated as if the customer was standing in line, which means they would be served before people placing orders after the remote order arrived.
The remote customer would receive a confirmation that the order was received and the approximate time it would be ready for pickup. The notification could be displayed as text or an image on the device’s screen, or it could come via an audible message played through a device’s speaker or earphones.
Orders could be placed through a media player, wireless PDA, or cell phone. The obvious benefit to customers would be in avoiding the wait in line to order their favorite coffee drinks or hamburgers.
But the system would also have benefits to restaurant owners beyond providing better service. Each customer using the system would get a unique identifier for tracking the establishments they visited and what they bought. The information would be stored in the devices and synchronized with the computers of participating merchants.
The patent doesn’t address security or privacy issues, nor does it give specifics on the kinds of establishments Apple would be targeting with the system.
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Dec
28
2007
Copenhagen will have its first floating hotel located beside a floating restaurant in Copenhagen harbour.
The hotel consists of 480 square metres, an indoor area of 300 square metres and an outdoor area of 180 square metres. In addition, there is a roof terrace measuring 150 square metres. The hotel is 30 metres in length, 7.2 metres in width and is 6.2 metres above the waterline.
The indoor area contains 12 rooms, a reception, conference rooms, a linen room and a storage room. All rooms have large windows and French balconies, as well as floor heating, flat-screen TV, wireless Internet access and coffee-making facilities.
The hotel is smoke-free, and on arrival all guests are provided with a key card to the roof terrace, which has deckchairs.
The barge Viva, located alongside the new hotel will provide the new floating hotel with food and service.
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Dec
24
2007
Whatever your belief (or lack of it) I would like you to accept my my warmest good wishes for you and your loved ones festive Celebrations.
Tis the season to be jolly, even if it is only to make the ones that really piss us off, murderously jealous.
Dec
21
2007
FohBoh is a new social network for the restaurant industry and is apparwently due for full launch in January 08.
FohBoh stands for Front of House, Back of House, I guess it’s obvious once you are told.
They have a site up now and it looks very interesting. Have a look it could go real big if they get the formula right, and if it does, it could provide owners with a great opportunity to build useful contacts. You will find it HERE.
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Dec
21
2007
The internet is littered with the failed attempts of companies attempting to jump on the viral marketing bandwagon.
It has become the new “Gold Rush” of Advertising. The problem is, very few companies have the slightest idea of how to make this viral stuff work. They foolishly believe, all they have to do is publish their brag and boast video clips on YouTube and they will be eagerly downloaded by millions of eager potential customers. WRONG.
They will only be downloaded if they are regarded as “cool” by YouTubers and they will only go viral if they are spectacularly geeky and different.
Anyone that tells you this is easy will be noticeable by the increasing length of their nose.
Cherryflava (a great South African Blog) has a very good article on what Nando’s did to breakthrough.
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Dec
20
2007
As a self confessed, guilt ridden, smoker, I’m getting a bit over all this anti-smoking legislation.
O.K. I know I don’t have the right to destroy others health, but I’m just a bit over all the new “Born again” petty officials, scared of future litigation going overboard with their “Thou Shalt Nots …”
So, I’m always pleased to see examples of anti smoking messages where they have at least tried to inject some humor into the equation.
The example above is of a smoking room in some pub somewhere (if you know where please let me know) which at least also generate some free publicity for its owners.
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Dec
19
2007
Morristown Police Lt. Dan Cliff and Sgt. Nathan Antrican ordered dinner about 7:10 p.m. at Taco Johns and sat down to eat. Cliff, as most officers learn, examined his tacos before chomping down. “While we were inspecting our food, Lt. Cliff found what appeared to be a small pubic hair in one of his tacos,” Antrican wrote in a report. “He then looked at another taco and found another hair in it.”
Read the full story here
Oh dear, I do hope this is a food trend that doesn’t catch on… “Do you want…” No, lets not go there either.
C’mon, this is the season when we are meant to spread goodwill NOT body hair.
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Dec
19
2007
Now, at last, here’s an invention to cure your secret disability.
Their promotional material states that:
“New Invention ‘Wobbleg ‘ Marks the End to those Annoying Wobbly Tables & Chairs
A simple yet highly effective invention called Wobbleg (www.wobbleg.com) has just been launched and looks set to finally bring the nations wobbling chairs and tables to a steady rest.
There is nothing more annoying for diners than to be seated at a table or chair that rocks and rolls around - and that’s before you’ve had a drink! Indeed a recent survey of over 500 diners revealed that wobbly tables rank as the number one gripe. A staggering 89% called for the abolition of wobbly tables in restaurants while only 13% said that children under 12 in restaurants are a big turn off.
Wobbleg is the brainchild of Yorkshire based inventor Julian Bradbrook. The invention came to him in a flash of inspiration whilst sitting at a wobbly table. “There has to be something better than an old beer mat to solve the problem” he thought, and so Wobbleg was created.”
So there you have it, an earth shattering, multi color, invention that could change the course of history…
As we enter this festive season, how reassuring it is to think, that in a world troubled by gaping religious divides, the starvation of millions and the excesses of millions more, we have courageous individuals, prepared to take on the big picture stuff of life, Stuff like ridding the world of wobbly table legs, banishing forever the outrageous discomfort and the wanton destruction of folded beer mats.
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Dec
18
2007
This is an absolute “MUST HAVE” Christmas decoration for every bar and restaurant in the world.
If the humble beer bottle is a bit below your station and would risk your high class reputation, then make yours out of French Champagne Bottles.
As your newly appointed Martha Stewart, I must advise you, the bottles must be empty, if you need a little help with this, simply email me, as I’m always ready to help a worthy cause.
“Tis the season to be jolly… “
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Dec
18
2007
These advertisements are for knives…
But the idea could easily be adapted to promote all sorts of food items.
Theses advertisements do a great job of focusing the viewer on the color and texture of the foods we are familiar with.
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