The Apple Store's New Checkout System

Apple is beginning to release a new checkout system for its retail stores. The system will consist of an iPod touch combined with a plastic shell which includes a barcode scanner, magstripe reader and an extra battery to power the equipment. New software will be used to run the device, and will allow store employees to carry out transactions with a lightweight and handheld system.

The previous checkout system employed at the retail stores consisted of handheld computers running Windows CE. But this system suffered from frequent problems. The new system, running iPhone OS 3.0 which allows use of third party accessories with the software, is much more reliable.

via AppleInsider

Beta Google Reader Available for iPhone

A new version of Google Reader is available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. If you have used Google Reader before on your computer, the new version for the iPhone will be very familiar, especially if you have used list view. It allows many of the same features for Google Reader that are available on the desktop version. Since the new version is in Beta right now, when you visit Google Reader on Mobile Safari, you will not automatically be redirected to the new version. So be sure to enter in http://www.google.com/reader/i, into your browser to access it.

Read more about this new version on The Official Google Reader Blog.

Image from googlereader.blogspot.com