Restaurant Replaces Paper-Based Menus with iPads

I know a place in Australia where you can walk out with an iPad...

Before people complain that it's Apple related news again: Remember- no one made you click.

And no, I'm not an appleboy.

Hey that was my idea!

And what about security measures? Do they "trust" me with it? Damn that restaurant might be too expensive for me anyways...better just buy an ipad

Here we go again.

Another "Someone uses an ipad/iphone to do something completely irrelevant" article

Wrong. More than the fact that this is an iPad, it's about the advancement and proliferation of technology over more traditional standards(paper.) The article isn't really focused on the "wonders of the new shiny Apple product" but more on how tech is playing an increasingly big role in places where it usually doesn't at all. And of the course the opposition from old schoolers.

+1 for haunted one. The article title let you know EXACTLY what you were clicking on, so why did you if all you planned on doing was complaining?

wow umm..i'm all for technology but, aren't you wasting more money and being less environmental friendly by using an ipad as a menu? Given its easier to change the menu itself at any time you would like..its not like they waste paper. menu's last quite some time. for these ipads i'd imagine they would get beat up fairly quickly. some little boy perhaps spills his free water on one of these?

If I was an owner of a restaurant, spending $40,000 and 5 months of development on the menus would never occur to me

That's a pretty kool idea. Although, maybe embedding touch screens in the tables or something similar would probably be a better idea, and cut out the risk of theft.

I don't like the idea of promoting apple products at a restaurant. We don't need apple getting a bigger ego or to have Der Fuhrer Jobs sue some innocent Australian restaurant.

I want to fly there now just to drop one on the floor, or spill coffee on it.

That's a pretty kool idea. Although, maybe embedding touch screens in the tables or something similar would probably be a better idea, and cut out the risk of theft.

I don't like the idea of promoting apple products at a restaurant. We don't need apple getting a bigger ego or to have Der Fuhrer Jobs sue some innocent Australian restaurant.

Cool*

actually it might be better than paper menus because they might change thier menu frequently. plus they can put thier specials of the day on it and do away with the chalk boards.

Wow, 40k and all he has to show for it are 4 iPads and 11 on the way (not sure if those 11 are paid for yet.) What a waste. I love the idea, sounds cool, but that's way too much to pay. Could have waited a year or two and let someone else pave the way. Now the guy that developed the App will make a fortune. Hope the owner was smart enough to retain rights to the software.

Why is it that tablets have been around for almost a decade, running software alot more useful than a phone OS, and apple is getting all this credit?

think this would be better if it broadcasts the menu to the smartphones/mobile computers(laptop,netbook,tablet) the people already have instead of giving them an expensive piece of tech to walk off with like an A&W frosted mug!

Hey man, I thought you can only buy 1 iPad per person. Watch dude's gonna sell it on eBay later when this thing doesn't take off.

I'll take one to go please & hold the fries....

Why would they buy an Ipad for that they should just use like the cheapest color touch screen tablet w androud or just a picture viewer.......

anyone getting tired of ipad yet?

Matt I would have to say that the reason the ipad is getting so much attention now versus the tablets that have been around for such a long time is easy to understand if you take a few point into consideration.
1. Aesthetics: apple products tend to be appealing to allot of consumers. I don’t personally care for their "look" however the average consumer seems to love it.
2. Ease of use/simplicity: As any PC guy/girl knows apple controls their products with an iron fist. They make the products very easy to use and understand. Personally I would rather have the control but I can understand how most consumers just want a tech solution that um *works*.
3. Elitism: Apple charges a premium price for most of their products. They are no different than any big name vendor out there. I compare them to Coach. High price tags and some flashy big arse C on the bag but when you turn it over it still says "Made in China". People love to feel elite. This is why people buy products like this. They can argue all they want but in the end they know its the truth (just wont admit it).

This is most likely no cheap restaurant. I am sure the check reaches or exceeds $200 USD for two people. I could not imagine this being implemented into any run of the mill place.

Anyhow that’s my opinion on it.

people and their apple products.

I can see it now. (with a cynicalism of my own)

Fattening unhealthy great tasting menu
Hamburger $69.95
add Cheese $9.95
add Bacon $9.95
French Fries $39.50 (we cook'em in Lard, they taste GREAT!)
Coke $27.00

Good for you blah tasting stuff
Tuna Sandwich $48.00
with a Pickle $8.95
Brown Rice $44.50
Barley Soup $60.50
Ice Water $26.00

With that many ipads at the store, the restaurant is bound to be a must see attraction for burglars

A better question is, is the food good in the first place?

Greeter: Sir what is that rectangular bulge in your jacket?

Random Person: Uhhhh nothing. Nothing at all. Bye!! *runs off*

Because a picture viewer doesn't provide you access to the information mentioned in the article that you didn't read.

I personally think this is a great idea, but he'll want to make sure he buys protective extras in case of clumsy customers and greasy fingers.

There is a resturant here in Okinawa, Japan that had an electronic menu for the past 5 years or so. You place your orders from the menu and the waiter will bring your food/drinks when its ready. You can even split the bill on it if you want to.

so lemme get this straight.... if it cost them lets say 40 cents to print a colour menu and laminate it and it cost them $499 for each Ipad how the HELL is that cost effective??? That just seems plain stupid to me.

Of course it is. There have been table top, point of use devices for a few years now. This is nothing new. Go to a National Restaurant Association show and you'll see a good 10 companies that do just that.

hey branson that was the dumbest idea ever