[quote author=“zebrum”]iQ

ding ding ding ding…....I think we have a winner.

[quote author=“granny smith”][quote author=“zebrum”]iQ

ding ding ding ding…....I think we have a winner.

OK now we have a winner can we discuss how much drooling
 
             
will be going on here at AFB when all of those nickels and dimes per transaction start to mount up. If this becomes widely used by iPhone and iTouch users, just how can we even guess how it will effect Apple’s bottom line.

Will this be another iPhone/AppleTV rental like revenue stream that very may be GIGANTIC?

d ( as I rub my hands together and laugh hysterically in a crazy kind of way )

Still haven’t read the patent, but payment at the time of ordering is central to getting suppliers signed up to this. This brings Apple / the iTunes account perilously close to becoming a payment service, as DantheMason says.

By expanding services in this way, Apple creates its own currency. Can you imagine iTunes gift cards (or similar card) being used as payment cards or in effect their own debit account currency.

Actually, Apple wouldn’t have to brand it with an Apple-related name, just handle the transaction for a slight fee thus driving revenue to merchants or service providers who opt-in while creating additional service revenue for Apple.

[quote author=“DawnTreader”]
driving revenue to merchants or service providers who opt-in while creating additional service revenue for Apple.

This is EXACTLY the big hook that Apple has for the merchants. As soon as iPhones and iTouches are as common as the current line of iPods they will be the big old worm on that hook and the merchants won’t be able to resist. Plus I think Apple will be able to show that it won’t cost the merchant as the small fee paid to Apple will be more than made up for in lower employee cost. Win - Win.

d

[quote author=“granny smith”][quote author=“zebrum”]iQ

ding ding ding ding…....I think we have a winner.

I’m still laughing about this one! 

Can you imagine the headlines following the first service update:

“Apple Updates iQs of users!”

[quote author=“DawnTreader”][quote author=“granny smith”][quote author=“zebrum”]iQ

ding ding ding ding…....I think we have a winner.

I’m still laughing about this one! 

Can you imagine the headlines following the first service update:

“Apple Updates iQs of users!”

Definitely the winner.  Almost too good to use for this.  Maybe the next name for the Mac Pro’s.  It’s also great graphically.