Apple is inviting reporters to an event next week to see what it calls “our latest creation,” which is thought to be a tablet-style touch-screen computer.

The company email offered no specifics about what it would display at the invitation-only January 27 event in San Francisco.

But it comes amid speculation that Apple is close to unveiling the gadget that is bigger than an iPhone but smaller than a standard laptop.

Tablets are one-piece computers with big screens and no keyboards. Such devices have been around since the early 1990s, but haven’t seen much success in the mainstream.

The real questions will be asked after the launch, when focus will fall on who will be providing what types of content (music, magazines, video, games, books etc) for Apple’s new slate.

Recent rumours have suggested that Apple is currently in talks with HarperCollins and a number of other major book publishers suggesting the tablet will be looking to straddle the eReader market.

We know all about how touch screen kiosks, once a novelty reserved for high-end museum exhibits, are rapidly becoming an ultra-popular addition to public settings, educational areas, and businesses. Offering easily accessible information in a compact form, touch screen PCs are being embraced by business owners looking to provide easy access, restaurants looking for a foolproof ordering system, and museums requiring a simple solution for exhibit information.

These seven settings demand quick informational access, which is reason no.1 for their success with touch screen monitors. From heavy industry to education providers, with more and more people seeing the value of touch screen technology, expect to see more touch screens kiosks in the following locations:

Educational and Training Organizations
When it comes to education, the name of the game is quick and easy access to information. In the early 1990s, computing – and later the internet – revolutionized education. Access to data became quick, simple, and inexpensive. Now there’s a new revolution going on. Offering simple access for disabled students, attention-grabbing displays for young children, and accessible information for elderly users, touch screen displays are quickly becoming the most popular means of communicating digital information for educators.

Museums
Touch screens have historically been popular in museum displays. Their ability to convey large amounts of information quickly and easily has made them a fantastic alternative to the traditional mouse-and-keyboard style PC display. Offering durability, simple access, and slick aesthetics, touch screen displays are highly popular with museums and public exhibitions.

Industry
Touch screens offer more than just simple access to information. The very design of a mouse and keyboard makes them highly exposed to potential damage or wear. A touch screen, however, is significantly more durable, able to function even when exposed to dirt and grime. This durability makes touch screens a worthwhile investment for industrial settings and potentially unclean areas.

Restaurants and Retail
Using a keyboard and mouse for thousands of transactions a day is hardly efficient. In a busy restaurant, the last thing any employee needs is a cumbersome billing and payment interface. Touch screen digital signage allows employees to input and process payments significantly more quickly than a standard PC interface.

Travel Information and Public Transport
From airports to bus stations, touch screens are quickly becoming the norm for transport related transactions and processes. Printing and processing tickets is made simple with an automated machine display, lowering operating costs for public transportation services. Airports are also benefiting from the use of touch screen machines, which are lowering staffing needs in customs and immigration, and allowing airlines to simplify the check-in process.

Business
With a simple addition from a touch screen kiosk manufacturer, a business presentation can be supercharged and made significantly

more effective. The most effective presentations demand two things – simplicity and control – and a touch screen display gives business presenters both.

Medical Settings
With the medical world demanding clean and quick access to information on demand, touch screens are quickly finding a large new audience. From operating theatres to patient booking rooms, the medical industry is embracing touch screens as a sanitary, ultra-efficient alternative to traditional PC displays.

Most things that Barack Obama touches turns to gold, and now the US President is setting his sights on revamping the American medical sector via touch-screen technology.

The winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has had his hands full in the last twelve months in attempting to solve the issues that plagued George W Bush’s administration but now, President Obama sees huge scope to improve his country’s health industry by embracing technological advancements.

He has pledged to ensure that all medical records in the United States will be electronic within five years, synced through the touch-screen kiosks that are present in most US health centres – a plan sure to positively affect the healthcare industry as a whole and create opportunities for technology providers.

Patient check-in kiosks have existed in doctors’ surgeries for years, but their advantages have not always been fully utilised, as described by one industry exec:

“Healthcare has always been thought of as being sort of behind on IT technology,” Napua said. “But obviously with the infusion of the Obama initiative for electronic medical records, I think there’s a growing interest, to say the least, in trying to figure out a lot of these solutions in healthcare.”

IBM Travel Kiosk developed for people with mobile impairments

Business travel has changed dramatically over the past ten years. New and innovative ways are now being used to maintain brand loyalty as well as streamlining company policy and practice into a competitive global market across all industry sectors.

Airports, hotels, supermarkets etc have all changed the way they conduct business by integrating new forms of self service systems to enhance customer experience.

Self service technology has become the forefront of most business practice. Today, travellers can manage their own check-in, travel insurance, car rental hire, train tickets and hotel reservations by simply using a self service kiosk or web or mobile applications.

As time has gone on, these systems have become more advanced in their services offering more customised applications to suit all customers needs and requirements. From adding additional features and products to the hotel bedroom, to dietary requirements on an aeroplane, travellers can access a whole world of information and bypass the long queues.

While many self service kiosks have the credibility to enhance travellers experiences and trip, there are still many restrictions which limit people’s usage of the innovative systems such as people with a visual or mobile impairment, due to the surface being touch screen.

The self service industry are consistently trying to eliminate this problems so that kiosks are accessible to all members of the public.

Once these barriers have been formally removed, touchscreen manufacturers can:

• Continuously improve traveller experience and differentiate themselves.
• Build brand loyalty in an increasingly competitive global market.

And some businesses are taking that next step with innovative technology, providing new solutions for people with disabilities. In an earlier post we wrote about innovative kiosks, we looked at self service kiosks that had been installed around the world to accommodate for the visually impaired. We found that in New York state, talking travel kiosks had been installed to help the visually impaired find useful information about what to do, where to go, transport and travel information etc. The full article can be found here.

For more information about self service kiosks and how they can help improve your business visit Europe’s number one leading distributor and manufacturer of touchscreen equipment, Protouch.

Earlier this year Cadbury’s Cream Egg launched a fantastic campaign using touchscreen technology to entertain people waiting at the bus stop.

Launched across a number of bus shelters in the UK the touchscreens featured interactive games based on a fairground stall, where players can bash Cadbury’s Cream Eggs.

Travellers waiting at the bus stop can play the game by bashing as many digital falling eggs as possible in 20 seconds, in order to release their goo.

The new interactive advertisement were placed across cities such as Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham, Sheffield and York.

A driver-less taxi has been developed which could make traffic jams, petrol fumes and crowded buses a thing of the past.

The futuristic taxi has no driver so no unwanted chatter to accompany you on your journey, just a button in the wall which you press to start the taxi to take you to your final destination.

The four-seated cab was introduced at the Science Museum in London yesterday and will be used next year to take people from car parks to Terminal 5.

Professor Martin Lowson, the man behind the electronic pod, said, “They could have the same effect on transport this century as the rocket had on the 19th.”

Lowson, who has a background in rocket science, added, “We believe that our PRT system can transform cities in the 21st century to provide the optimum form of environmentally friendly urban transport, relieving congestion and reducing emissions.”

Battery powered, the bubble-shaped taxis transport passengers from A to B once they have inputted their information and destination on the touch screen.

The taxi can reach speeds of up to 25mph and would travel along their own narrow road system.

Once the destination has been submitted on the touchscreen a message is sent to the vehicle which then follows an electric pathway.

Throughout the journey passengers can press a button to speak to the controller if necessary.

For more information about touchscreen systems and how you can implement them into your business visit Protouch today.

As we begin to embrace the digital age and and witness new forms of technology enter our world, we have seen some weird and wonderful things happening to hi-tech gadgets.

So many technology companies are reeling out new and innovative products to stand out from the crowd and eventually become a major player on the commercial market.

Well we have found some high-tech gadgets from around the world which stand out from the crowd.

Pyramid Touch Screen

The Trigon Pyramid Touchscreen was first introduced at the CREATEC Japanese Conference and proved a massive hit with technology geeks and visitors alike.

The touchscreen kiosk system is a new and innovative way of interacting with consumers and according to the manufacturer, very little computer processing power is needed to facilitate the panel’s operation.

The technology was on display as an example for computer corporations interested in moving beyond the basic traditional model of touchscreens, ATMs and various game centres.

Video Surface Technology

Software giant, Microsoft built this innovative touchscreen computer-a coffee table that will change the world. Microsoft believe that touchscreens are the way forward for interaction within the consumer world. Titled Microsoft Surface, the new multi touchscreen system could be the new way forward for the consumer market, acting as a menu board, information point, ordering desk, photo up-loader etc.

Microsoft Sphere

The Microsoft Sphere is a fantastic new touchscreen design that people can touch with multiple fingers and hands to manipulate photos, play games, spin a virtual globe or watch 360 degrees videos.

The Sphere is known as the cousin of the Microsoft Surface (shown above) and is already being used in retail and hospitality industries.

Microsoft believes that as we move forward, more surfaces will become touchscreen efficient and used as computers across all industry sectors.

For more information about touchscreen systems and how they can benefit your business visit Protouch today.

To kick start Monday morning with a bit of life we have found the top outdoor self service kiosks from around the globe.

Singing in the rain

Umbrella Kiosk in Aberdeen, Scotland

This cool umbrella kiosk was first introduced in April 2006 along the city centre streets of Aberdeen, Scotland. They are used to provide visitors to the city with transport services and job vacancies as well as What’s On guides and Way-finder units to city landmarks.

Work through the window

Work through the window

This window touchscreen kiosk is used in high traffic locations to grab the attention of passers by and draw them in to learn more.

Users are able to use the touchscreen through the window 24 hours a day.

Outdoor Informative Kiosks

House Kiosk, Virginia State Park

In April 2006, 31 interactive touch screens were installed around Virginia State Park providing visitors with a wide range of information 24 hours a day, all year round.

Celsius Kiosk

Strong enough to survive any temperatures

This cool kiosk can stand a variety of environments making it the perfect all-rounder all-weather kiosk. It can withstand temperatures of 0F to 110F.

Not the most attractive kiosk we have seen but definitely a clever one.

For more information about touchscreen kiosks and how self service kiosks can help your business visit Protouchtoday. Protouch are Europe’s Number One leading distributor and manufacturer of touch screenequipment and have helped a wide range of businesses improve their sales such as SpecSavers, Kiddicare and Sports World.

Self service hotels maybe coming to a town near you as independent boutiques and major chains embrace the new scheme.

The scenario goes a bit like this:

Upon arrival you go directly to your allocated room and punch in a code at the door to let yourself in.

At happy hour you can pour yourself a glass of wine from bottles laid out in the common area.

Taking a trip or a day out? You can find all information about attractions by using the self service kiosks.

“The whole theme is low-maintenance guests who don’t like to have staff in their face when they are coming and going,” said Michael Farrar, assistant manager of the Inn at St.Botolph in Boston.

“The inn offers an ‘abbreviated services model’ that includes online booking, virtual check-in, keyless entry and elective housekeeping. We will let you be.”

The self service hotel aims to target business and budget travellers. The new system gives independent-minded travellers autonomy and allows the hotel to run with minimal staff, resulting in lower expenditure and in theory, lower rates for guests.

“Hotels are the last holdout in the travel industry when it comes to do-it-yourself,” hotel consultant and author Daniel Edward Craig said in an e-mail.

“Like the airline industry, which responded to demands for low fares from travellers by cutting services to reduce costs, the hotel industry is following suit by automating certain services.

“As long as travellers continue to demand low rates and greater efficiency, this segment will continue to grow.

And it is not just budget hotels that are embracing this trend.

A sleek boutique hotel in the heart of Austin’s trendy SoCo district was one of the first to incorporate what it calls “invisible service” model.

The Kimber Modern, which opened late 2008, has keyless entry to the bedrooms, self service breakfast and a happy hour to amenities such as umbrellas, extra pillows, razors and toothpaste in every room.

The hotel aims to attract the independent urban traveller with its self service approach and rates which start at $225.

“The concept is all about providing every need for our guests so they don’t need us,” said Cavendish, adding that staff is available either on-site or by phone around the clock should a guest encounter a problem.

“We are not trying to be an Omni or a Four Seasons where there’s all the services you could ever need with people there to give them to you. Our goal is to have everything our guests need so they can make themselves at home.”

Major hotel chains are also adopting the self service mentality, like Hyatt and Starwood Hotels.

Over 100 Hyatt Place hotels nationwide allow guests to check in using self service kiosks (they may also check in at a reception desk) and order room service through a cashless touch screen menu.

Starwood Aloft opened in June 2008 and has about 30 locations. Guests swap room service for grab-and-go options and allow guests to check in via a self service kiosk.

“Guests like control,” said Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of Starwood Speciality Select Brands. “It is really about giving the customer’s choice.”

Craig said that the main aim for hotels incorporating a self service system should be to keep their quality of service constant.

“Regardless of the state of the economy, the hospitality business is all about providing travellers with comfort, value and convenience,” he said. “As long as do-it-yourself trends advance rather than reduce these objectives, they will grow in popularity.”

Kiosks installed in shops, department stores, cinemas, train stations, supermarkets etc need to stand out. They need to say to the customer, ‘Look at me, I am here and I can make your day faster, quicker and more efficient.’

And the look at me is very important. Not only do they need to provide high quality service that is quick and easy to use, they need to initially attract the customers attention else there was really no point in buying one at all.

To help you along the way to choosing the right self service kiosk, we have found some cool kiosks with some fantastic interfaces that stand out to any customer or passer-by.

DVD Rental Kiosk

Large, bold and in your face

On the Protouch blog we have mentioned the Redbox kiosk a few times, but we think it is just so bold and convenient for consumers it deserves another mention.

The great thing about this kiosk is that it is large, has a lot of information and advertising around it and most importantly it is bright red, so you really cannot miss it at all.

The Redbox has seen DVD rentals in the US boom as people find the kiosk convenient, efficient and useful for all their needs and desires.

Another great feature to this kiosk is the DVD picture stand which lists all the top movies and latest releases that people can rent from the Redbox kiosk, keeping customers in the know throughout their interactivity with the kiosk.

Children's Learning Kiosk

Cool, creative and attractive to children

It is hard enough trying to get a child’s attention or to try and get them involved with something that involves learning, but this self service kiosk does the trick.

Not only is the design fun and creative and appealing to children, the touch screen systems allow children to engage with learning in a fun and modern way.

Children love interacting with computers and technology so these types of self service systems are perfect for what children need to help their education and communication with technology and other people.

These types of kiosks would be perfect at a nursery, creche, library, nursery or even a shopping store so parents can happily get on with their shopping and leave their child to play so they don’t get bored.

We love this kiosk and think it cute and cleverly designed to attract the attention of children wherever they maybe.

Choose your hairstyle with Find Your Colour Kiosk

Take them by surprise

This kiosk is fab as it completely takes the customer by surprise.

Placed right in the centre of the store next to the hair products (perfect positioning) customers will be intrigued to see what it is all about and will stop to try it out.

The kiosk allows customers to find the right hair colour to suit them which is perfect as many people struggle to find a colour they think will work for them when they fancy a change of style.

It may be small in size but the positioning of the kiosk is perfect as it instantly appeals to customers who have chosen to visit the isle for hair products, and it is situated in a prime location for customers to have a quick try while they shop.

Downtown Disney Kiosks

Give customers their privacy

One of the things we love about the Downtown Disney kiosk is the fact that if gives visitors to the park a little bit of privacy when choosing and purchasing their products.

The kiosks are positioned so that users are not able to see what the person next to them is doing allowing customers to shop or find information with comfort and ease.

People like their privacy and you should honour that to them by installing kiosk which offer this.

For more information about self service kiosks continue reading this blog for insightful information as well as quirky articles, videos and images about self service kiosks, or alternatively visit the Protouch website today.