Impressions of KioskCom
So while everyone cool was enjoying themselves at FTIC in Toronto, I was obligated because of current business ventures to take a week off of an incredibly busy work schedule to attend KioskCom in Las Vegas.
Although not directly Flash related, there have been an increasing number of Flash-based kiosks out there, and I thought it would be important (besides business ventures) to see what Flash's place is in the self-service industry. As of yet, Flash is still somewhat a novelty in this area, although I think it will continue to gain ground in the future for sure.
The conference was essentially two days, although it was scheduled for three. The third day consisted of a self-service tour through Las Vegas, a hotbed for pioneering technology in the self-service industry. I figured I would see enough on my own.
Although at times a little dull, the conference was actually quite useful for me. The exhibitors were many, and there were some pretty dang cool technologies on display for potential buyers--not to mention the catered lunch was surprisingly good. Some cool technologies to note:
- an entire PC that is about the size of a small paperback book, built for heavy usage (they had it connected to chords that were constantly throwing it around as it played a DivX rip of Pirates)
- Touch screen technologies that are starting to attract some attention, some using infrared or sound to detect touch as opposed to traditional pressure-sensitive methods
- Displays that go above and beyond the common methods of digital signage--one was on seamlessly integrated onto a display window at a Polo retail store
- Some crazily complex and cool remote kiosk management technologies (although ridiculously expensive, and in some cases, impractical)
- Some cool integration of 3D and live video (one booth took a 3D model of a storm trooper's helmet and put it on the subject in the camera)
It wasn't a bad way to spend a couple of days.
Labels: Flash, kiosks, technology



