12/28, 1:45pm
Asahi plans 10K vending machine hotspots in Japan
Japan is now getting vending machines that act as free Wi-Fi hotspots to anyone within a 160-foot range. Made by Tokyo-based Asahi Soft Drinks, the machines will allow multiple devices to access the web before cutting them off after 30 minutes of use, though users can reconnect again right away. A login will be required, and users will get a home page with information on location-specific attractions, stores, and more.
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04/27, 6:05pm
Pepsi set to show Social Vending System
Pepsi has said it will unveil a 'social' vending machine later this week at a trade show in Chicago. It will allow users to buy friends near and far a drink, by entering their phone number, name and a short custom text message or video. This is a step up on the Freestyle vending machine released by competitor Coca-Cola in 2009, which had a touchscreen and contained more than 100 flavor combinations.
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01/17, 1:20pm
News Corp to skip iAd for iPad news source
News Corp.'s delayed The Daily publication will have major ads from the start but won't tap into Apple's own iAds if a slip is accurate. Land Rover, Macy's, Pepsi and Virgin are all reportedly signing onboard for the iPad magazine's first ad run. Despite Apple's rumored direct involvement, though, AdAge heard Medialets would handle the ads instead of Apple's iAd system.
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01/14, 11:15am
Amazon MP3 Pepsi Promo
Amazon and Pepsi this morning claimed a changing of the guard with word of Pepsi Stuff, a new promotional campaign bent on accomplishing for Amazon what 2004's iTunes promo did for Apple. Rather than hide complete giveaway codes under random bottle caps as with the iTunes campaign, the new promo guarantees songs based on the number of drinks: buyers instead claim points from each bottle that go towards free items. Five bottles are enough to qualify for a single song. Since every song comes in the unprotected and more universal MP3 format, nearly every user of a portable media player can claim the rewards from the campaign -- including iPhone and iPod owners, Amazon is keen to state.
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