First look at Apple's mutant EasyPay iPod Touches

(Credit: AppleInsider)

Since 2005, Apple stores have been ringing up purchases with wireless handheld point-of-sale terminals. This always felt a little odd, partly because you never see a register, but mostly because the devices run Windows. Not anymore!

Apple is in the process of retiring its massive fleet of Windows CE handhelds, made by Symbol Technologies, with custom-designed iPod Touches. The initial announcement made this sound like a self-satisfied, gloating move by Apple, during which they'd happily--and publicly--ditch their clunky, ugly, jury-rigged handhelds for sleek, shiny iPod Touches. But judging by these photos nabbed by AppleInsider, this isn't quite the case.

EasyPay with Apple's new iPod Touch system -- photos

Apple's point-of-sale Touches take advantage of OS 3.0's hardware accessory support a lot. Each one will be wrapped in a large plastic case, which includes a bar-code scanner up top and a card reader slot in the side, as well as an extra battery.

The whole assemblage--iPod included--is powered through a mini USB port. Naturally, sales will be carried out with a custom iPhone app; not so naturally, credit card signatures need to be entered with a stylus, almost like you're using Windows Mobile (OH GOD!). Or, you know, paper.

This story originally appeared on Gizmodo.

[daedbird]

It doesn't look that bad.....considering how much is packed in there, they are quite svelte. I wonder if Apple will market these to other retailers. Also, interesting it uses the mini USB.....

[vorcia]

id still rather have a register

Huh, I've never even seen the old handhelds before. I wonder how it prints out receipts. Or maybe they just email you the invoice? *shrugs* Interesting though.

[Mac User Too]

They email the receipt to you. If you have Mobile Me account the system knows this.

[edyj324]

Most people opt to get a receipt sent to their emails anyway so printing isn't such a big deal at Apple Stores.

[edyj324]

I say there is noting wrong with the switch. The ability to pay for my product in any area of the store (while not all that revolutionary or necessarily needed) is a huge convenience when I buy products at the Apple store. Kind of glad to see Apple expanding the potential of their already existing products though.

[carbine68]

Sweet, keep this stuff coming, I hope others can take from this and improve technology as a whole for our population. Reminds me of the old school 50's movies that showed the Kitchen Of The Future.

[kslvn]

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/22876/

The old Windows devices looked like WWII walkie-talkies. See the article above. Even though they didn't quite pull off replacing them with stock Ipod Touches, it's a huge improvement.

[abundantsnotbob]

I think the employees might be using more than one app on this. lol

[jpg27]

hahaha don't think so. wouldn't want to run down the battery life in a couple of hours

[play7]

not in japan yet........

[markosph]

looks good, I have used those Symbol Windows CE devices, they are built to take a beating, will this survive falls and people in the retail industry. It will take a long while for these to make a dent into that market. Companies take longer to change, if it works why change. Still very nice and something I would be interested in.

[jcmark42]

I love not having to wait in line for a register and having the receipt emailed is an easy way not to lose it.

[guytaur1]

The ability of an Ipod tough to do lots on WIfi means this device is much better for companies. An employee when not using this as a register can use it as a Skype phone, music player, send and receive emails if not able to answer a customer query. As well as a whole lot more. After all there is an App for that. :)

[molotov]

Touch has been around for 3 years and they only thought of it now?

[Yelonde]

Actually, they have been considering this for a while, for well over 2 years now.

[molotov]

This just proves the exceeding amount of red-tape and bureaucracy that presides inside Apple. I wonder if the company will stagnate and become irrellevant 5 years from now?

[MJcrew85]

I still hate the apple store. Just thought I should throw that out there.

[Yelonde]

Thank you. Nobody asked your opinion :)

[MJcrew85]

I'm pretty sure that's what the "comments" section is for, Mr. (Ms?) emoticon.

I think I hurt someone's feelings with that last one. I thought it was pretty harmless - and I know mine is not an isolated opinion.

[T_Hoff]

So Apple gets replaceable batteries, and we get to send in our devices when the batteries go bust. Got it.

[ffmedck]

Its finally nice to see a removable battery on an ipod touch!