According to the industry publication "Kiosk Marketplace," the use of kiosks is growing rapidly. Movie rental kiosks, for example, are in over 30,000 locations within the United States alone, and this number is expected to rise in the coming years. While all kiosks have common features, several different types of kiosks exist.
Standalone Kiosk
As the name implies, a standalone type of kiosk is designed as a self-contained unit, similar to a video arcade game. This type is typically large and takes up a significant amount of space. This size becomes an advantage if the kiosk is placed outdoors, however, due to the additional weather-resistance and ruggedness of this design. The cabinet of a basic standalone kiosk contains a computer, a monitor, keyboard, and accessories such as a printer. Other specialized accessories can also be added. On a standalone movie rental kiosk, for example, cartridges containing DVDs are used to hold and dispense the chosen movie. Modern photo booths, such as the ones commonly found in shopping malls, are another example of this standalone kiosk type.
Wall Mounted Kiosk
Wall mounted kiosks are smaller than standalone units, and are designed to be mounted flush against a wall or in a corner. Many of these kiosks are installed in locations where older pay phones used to be placed, such as airport lobbies and business centers. Unlike pay phones, however, these kiosks have advanced features, such as touchscreen displays and high-speed data connections. In addition to being used in place of traditional pay phones, wall mounted kiosks are also popular for web browsing and email access. In this application, users pay for an allotted period of time, and can navigate the Internet using the keyboard or touchscreen monitor. Because a computer is at their core, these kiosks can be easily upgraded with new software and new features.
Countertop Kiosk
A countertop kiosk type is small and streamlined, and is designed to be used in high-traffic indoor locations including cafes and bars. Because of their small size, these kiosks usually use only a touchscreen display, and do not feature printers or product dispensers. The primary application for this type of kiosk is entertainment. In a sports bar location, for example, countertop kiosks are commonly used to offer customers interactive trivia games, or to control a digital music jukebox. Users are able to access the kiosk after swiping a credit card through a reader, which is often integrated directly into the kiosk housing.
Sitdown Kiosk
Sitdown kiosks are intended for extended use, and offer bench seating for comfortable operation. Using a sitdown kiosk is similar to using a normal computer at a desk, with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse or trackball usually integrated into the design. This type of kiosk is popular in many business locations, including banks and hotels, and allows users to complete business tasks even when they are travelling. Examples of common applications include full-featured web browsers, email programs, and banking transaction programs. Because of their business nature, most sitdown kiosks have wrap-around privacy shields, which prevent casual onlookers from viewing sensitive information on the display.
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