Hardware

Photos: Skipping the bar line

By // September 20, 2006, 5:02 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • The Intermission bar at the University of Westminster student union, which can hold 499 people, hosts six high-tech tables equipped with pop-up touch screens that let students can order drinks without having to leave their seats.

    Jo Best/Silicon.com

  • According to Escapism Media, one of two companies behind the tables, drinkers who order remotely become more creative, frequently leaving their lager comfort zone for spirits and cocktails.

    The student union's Rayhan Rafiq Omar says the touch screen ordering will save students having to wrestle with a throng of drinkers to get served. The union is also looking at new ways to earn money from the tables, including opening the system up to advertisers.

    Jo Best/Silicon.com

  • The tables are all waterproof and can fold down to let students rest their pints on them. In addition to ordering drinks, students can use the built-in screens to send text messages, play games and soon even to order taxis. A system to request music from the student radio station is also expected to be added.

    Jo Best/Silicon.com

  • For those with a little Dutch courage, the tabletops enable users to chat with fellow drinkers by sending short messages, similar to using instant messaging. A list of preprogrammed pick-up lines is also included--and if they prove successful, there's the option to send another student a drink or credit for one.

    Jo Best/Silicon.com

The Intermission bar at the University of Westminster student union, which can hold 499 people, hosts six high-tech tables equipped with pop-up touch screens that let students can order drinks without having to leave their seats.

Jo Best/Silicon.com

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...