Apple's new patent that could revolutionize restaurant ordering

Posted Dec 27th 2007 1:24PM by Zac Bissonnette
Filed under: Apple Inc (AAPL), Technology

Having become a major force in computers, phones, and music, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs is looking to revolutionize yet another industry: food services.

The Cupertino, California company has filed a patent describing a wireless system that would allow consumers to place an order with a store using a cell phone or other wireless device. Then, the customer would be pinged when the order is ready, thereby avoiding, according to the application, "annoying wait in a long queue if the purchaser arrives before completion of the order."

Continued innovation will be an absolute necessity if Apple shareholders are to see strong returns. At more than 50 times earnings, Apple needs a strong product pipeline to drive future growth.

This device sounds pretty cool, although it isn't yet clear how Apple would monetize it. It seems likely that cafes like Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) would license the technology to allow their customers to order from their cell phones.

Speaking of Apple, BloggingStocks contributor Georges Yared thinks the stock is going to $300.

Tags: AAPL, Apple, inthenews, Restaurants

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-27-2007 @ 2:46PM

TX CHL Instructor said...

If calling your order in ahead of time on a cellphone is patentable, that is prima facie evidence that the patent system is now broken beyond repair, and needs to be completely abolished.