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Internet Kiosks Around The World
Internet kiosks? Americans have been sold the idea that they need to take one wherever they go (in other words, a laptop or other device for access). However, elsewhere on the planet, people would rather just be able to go to a convenient Internet kiosk.
Here's one from Finland from 1999; it can now be found in hundreds of post offices throughout the country.
(Internet kiosk in Finland [internet service automat])
Streets in Aberdeen, Scotland sports these cool umbrella kiosks. First introduced in April 2006, they have dual operational viewing screens. In addition to having a screen, they generate a Wireless/WiFi service and provide all the Public DataWeb multiple content services, plus video email and VOIP/SKYPE Freephone telephony. An on-screen avatar helps you figure things out, and can also read messages to you. At night, the umbrella top is illuminated.
(Internet kiosk in Scotland)
Our next stop is Italy; this internet kiosk is planned for hotel lobbies, museums, schools, banks, offices and stores. Fabricated of wood laminate, it sports an embedded Apple iMac. Truly "futuristico."
(Internet kiosk in Italy)
In London, England we see this retro-futuristic masterpiece courtesy of NCR Financial Knowledge Lab.
(Internet kiosk in England)
The Brussels city government established five open-air Internet kiosks that provide WiFi-enabled web surfing for all citizens and visitors. The weatherproof kiosks have a touchscreen for those without a laptop or PDA; passers-by can go online to send email, check the timetables of public transportation services and look at maps of the city (and even print them). The kiosks also have a multimedia component: anyone can walk up to a kiosk and send a picture or short video of themselves via email.
(Internet kiosk in Belgium)
Take a look at the ANRITU information kiosk terminal “FT9300.” It has a CCD camera and IC card leader and the interface for fingerprint recognition. It can do ticket sales and it can utilize news/music; it also works as a and the public view-phone.
(Internet kiosk in Japan)
01-Feb-2017 Update: In his amazing 1966 Hugo award-winning novel Babel-17, Samuel R. Delany described a filing crystal kiosk. End update.
Thanks to an anonymous reader who got me started looking; feel free to paste in URLs of your favorite international-style Internet access points.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 1/24/2007)
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I might also be thinking of K-9 from Doctor Who.
