Blog

Thank you, Steve Jobs

June 28, 2012 by Chris Gilder — Founder/CEO, Meridian

There are many reasons to thank Steve Jobs. His innovation. His ability to make technology usable. His ability to redefine the way things work (iTunes, iPod, iCloud, iPad). His focus on artistry and typography. His vision and his drive to bring his vision to fruition. Without Steve Jobs, our industry would be stuck rusting at the outlet. In many ways the self-service kiosk industry has experienced the technical revolution because of Steve Jobs. No longer are kiosks big, bulky masses glaring in the corner. Today, Kiosks are architectural, sometimes artistic pieces that provide increased functionality and create greater opportunities for businesses and people alike. Just as Apple brought together your music, apps and data integrated with iPhones and ipads to create greater efficiencies and flexibility, kiosks merge hardware and software to provide accessibility for consumers and businesses.

Steve has created the desire to interact and immerse ourselves in technology. The iPad and iPhone have given people the power of touch which is great for our industry. Recently, I was traveling back to the U.S. with my family through Heathrow Airport. My 12-year-old son saw a Vodaphone add on a digital signage kiosk with Lewis Hamilton's F1 helmet spinning around on it. A Formula 1 fan, he immediately went up to it and tried to interact. Nothing. It was just a video playing, no touch. There was nothing to keep him engaged so he took a seat to wait for the shuttle with us. Quite a few of the screens where not functioning. You could see the finger prints of people trying to interact (before they quit working of course, check your Ipad screen when it's off...eeeww). After sitting and waiting for the shuttle for 10 minutes or so, we witnessed several people touching the working units just like my son. Thanks, Steve.

At Meridian, we have blended our software solutions, engineering design, ISO 9000 streamlined, quality manufacturing into one bundled solution, both customizable and ready-to-launch. Our philosophy at Meridian can be summarized by a famous Steve Jobs quote: "A lot of people in our industry haven't had very diverse experiences. So they don't have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one understands of the human experience, the better design we will have."

Linear thinking doesn't allow for development. Innovate, verb, to introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time. The simple meaning of the word is synonymous with Steve Jobs. Thanks Steve for reintroducing us to everyday norms.

Self-service technology helps to re-introduce ways we live and work every day. Whether we check out redbox, take our blood pressure, apply for a job, and check out at the store or any of the other great uses – Thanks Steve for helping us innovate and engage our daily lives.

About Chris Gilder

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Chris Gilder, CEO and founder of Meridian Kiosks, brings more than 20 years of entrepreneurial successes to the senior management team. Meridian has been recognized as a leader in the self-service kiosk industry and an innovator with the development of the Self Service Technology Center in partnership with Intel, HP, Microsoft, Zebra Technologies and Storm.

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