Slash LaneDetails on the new pilot program were revealed on Friday by Reuters, which revealed that some Walmart iPhone owning employees were invited to participate in a trial at a Walmart supercenter in Rogers, Ark. Allowing users to scan their own items to pay for them is projected to save the company millions of dollars.
Many Walmart locations already have self-checkout lanes that feature traditional barcode scanning hardware with touchscreen kiosks allowing customers to complete their own transactions.
The new system would take self-checkout a step further, allowing customers to scan products with their phone as they are placed into a shopping bag. A complete list of items could then be presented at the self-checkout counter with the iPhone application, removing the need to scan all of the items at the time of checkout.
Apple launched its own self-checkout functionality through its Apple Store application for iOS last November. The "Easy Pay" feature allows customers to pay for an item on their own, direct from an iPhone, while in a retail store.
The self-checkout option was initially ridiculed as "Easy Theft," leading some to suggest it could cause problems for Apple's Stores. However, the system was said to have gotten off to a strong start during the holiday shopping season last year.
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
24 Comments
Oh, hello, my vision for the future that I've had for a little over three years and just reiterated on the forums here yesterday. How are you doing?
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Oh, hello, my vision for the future that I've had for a little over three years and just reiterated on the forums here yesterday. How are you doing?
????
That's some eerie timing between your post and this article. Do you work for Wal-mart?
This sounds like an awful idea from a merchandise-theft perspective.
"Hey! I've got a cart full of stuff--yeah, it's $150 in groceries and food, and I scanned it on my iPhone! Nah, nevermind that $300 iPod buried in bags and stuff.. I'm honest! I scanned it!"
Now this makes more sense than some articles. You grab some empty bags, scan and fill them as you go. Get to the self checkout where perhaps he iPhone gives a barcode that transfers it all to the checkout system. Show your Id for the liquor, add your coupons. Put your bags on the scales to be verified they weigh an appropriate amount and then pay as usual. That actually makes sense. You might have to do something's like by weight produce at the checkout but your milk, toothpaste etc is done. If they are really smart the app will include being able to make a shopping list that will alert you if you forgot something, show you when your favorite items or brands are on sale, etc
[quote name="Shidell" url="/t/152256/walmart-testing-customer-self-checkout-with-apples-iphone#post_2180153"]! Nah, nevermind that $300 iPod buried in bags and stuff.. I'm honest! I scanned it!" [/quote] If a store is stupid enough to put something like that where customers can just grab it, they deserve having it stolen. And before you say , but at Apple 1. The serialized stuff can't be self rung up 2. They caught the kid that tried to fake buy with his iPhone