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Are kiosks still relevant in a mobile world? Part 2

March 5, 2012 by Michael Ionescu — President, Ionescu Technologies

There were some good responses to my last blog that explored the question of whether kiosks still have a place in a world that is becoming inundated with the increasingly versatile smart phone.

In general I agree with a response that points out that kiosks and mobile phones are different platforms and that there is a place in today's world for both. While this is true, I believe there is a potential larger problem in that the general population still sees kiosks as losing ground to phones. Because smart phones are so functional the everyday person outside of the kiosk industry already assumes that kiosks will become obsolete. To keep the industry moving forward, we as an industry, need to be proactive about making kiosks unique enough to be a compelling investment for potential buyers.

So how can our kiosks adapt to a world where mobile information is becoming increasing ubiquitous?

Unique content: This is the one area where kiosks can really stand out. They are stationary devices designed for customized content to help people find information quickly and easily. The content can be unique information about attractions, restaurants, digital tours of a city, etc. The amount of information on cell phones is becoming so extensive that it can bog the user down with too much information rather than the necessary and useful content.

Cell phone interaction: What better way to showcase the unique ability of kiosks than by working with the very things that people say will make them obsolete? By enabling users to send the content to their phones, kiosks are a powerful reference tool for people who can then take that information with them. For example, a restaurant reservation made at a kiosk or directions to a local business can be sent to a phone as a reminder.

Larger, more interactive displays: Sometimes the screens of mobile devices can be somewhat limiting. A small screen isn't always very engaging. Large, high- definition screens can draw in people and give users a much more interactive experience. Imagine looking at a large, detailed map of New York City on a kiosk instead of one on your phone. Instantly, the viewer is much more engaged in that large screen than on a mobile device. More room is available to display different kinds of information, and it won't rely on cellular data speeds that can still be very limiting .

What are other features we can incorporate into kiosks to make them stand out?

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