Would You Like Ringtones with That? Supersize Your MP3?   5/31/2005 - 1,931 views, 1 Comment

Said McDonald’s spokesperson Bill Whitman of their newly funkified locations, “It is clearly unique and not a traditional restaurant. But it is a peek at the future of McDonald’s through the use of technology, innovative design and contemporary space.”

Obviously Mr. Whitman has a background in marketing.

Whitman goes on to say that the Blaze Net innovation “gives our customers the ability to do things at McDonald’s they can’t do at other places” (well, except at home, work, school, and the library). “Quite honestly, with some of the media centers, you don’t even need a credit or debit card. You can pay with cash and download your favorite songs onto your own CD,” said Whitman.

According to Jonathan First, CEO of Blaze Net provider Digital Transaction Machines, “We provide digital merchandise, whether it’s music on CDs that can be delivered in under 2 minutes, photos in 6 seconds apiece produced professionally, or ring tones that are instant. We also have the capability for ticketing, whether it’s live events or movies, and eventually we are going to have DVDs and videos as well.”

While Blaze Net is already available in many of the McDonald’s in Germany, the concept location in the United States is located in beautiful downtown Chicago, and in addition to the Blaze Net kiosk and store-wide wifi, it sports several flat-screen televisions and video monitors.

Multimedia entertainment, MP3 downloads, new ringtones… everything one wants from their fast food experience.

Well, except the food. But have no fear, Aunty is sure that within the year you’ll be able to get a burger at Best Buy.