Why stop at selfies with the smartphone? Vending machines in Japan will do the same, then share via Line chat

Yes, yes, selfies are here to stay. We have selfie sticks, and wide-angle front-facing cameras, even hats that have selfies in mind.

What if that is not enough? Why not take a selfie while buying a product at a local vending machine? As an added bonus, have that vending machine share your selfie of satisfaction share the picture on the popular messaging app, Line.

The popular Japanese beverage company, Kirin, is rolling out “selfie vending machines.” These contraptions are equipped with large LCD displays and cameras, allowing consumers to take a free selfie with a variety of branded backgrounds.

The machines will then connect with Line, a hugely popular messaging app in Asia, so you can share your newly snapped pictures with friends. Despite whatever gimmick factor, this is probably going to prove quite successful in a market like Japan.

There are plenty of other applications for these machines, such as conveying special promotions, or local ads, or emergency alerts. There is also no shortage of vending machines at popular tourist destinations, so the interface on these machines will include English, Chinese, and Korean languages.

source: Japan Trends