Vending machines in Schenectady have come a long way since the first coin-operated vending machine that dates back to the early 1920s. The days of sliding a few coins into a vending machine and waiting for a can of soda to tumble down, however, are numbered. The new social vending system features a touch-screen that allows users to buy a drink as well as gift one to someone. All this by entering the recipient’s name, mobile number, and a personalized text message, the machine generates a code and instructions on how to redeem the beverage at another social vending machine. With this machine, a basic transaction is transformed into a unique experience. Computerized social vending machines are just the start of everyday technology becoming more social.

Water, Water Everywhere … Part II

By:  Lee Ann Rush                                                     The topic is water; specifically, its availability to the public in light of Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck’s recent megalomaniacal assertion that people should only have access to water if they pay for it.  In a world where water shortages are reason for concern as demand begins to exceed supply, Brabeck’s plan..