Visitors to the Microsoft booth at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) got a sneak peak at a gas pump powered by Microsoft’s embedded Windows CE operating system. “Very soon you’ll be able to stop for gas on your way to work and — without ever leaving the pump — buy a cup of coffee and a lottery ticket, download an MP3, and check up-to-the-minute traffic reports. The dispenser itself will be able to run a quick diagnostics report on your car, alert you when it’s time for an oil change, and even print out coupons for the lube shop down the street.” The project is a joint effort by Microsoft and Dresser Inc. The companies say Americans spend an average of five minutes a day pumping gas. They hope to let motorists spend this time more effectively. Would you take advantage of traffic information and lottery tickets at the pump?
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01/12, 1:48 PM
posted by:
Gomez
Worthless. Yet more money spent on services for lazy/unorganized people.
01/12, 2:47 PM
posted by:
R
Buy coffee without going inside? Ew? Is the pump going to spit it out for you like those little dispenser machines that make the cup fall down, then pour the coffee, then the powdered artificial imitation cream food substance? Just what that coffee needs, a few stray gasoline molecules to add to the flavor.
Also, the lottery is a tax on the mathematically impaired.
01/12, 4:22 PM
posted by:
Matt
You know, I’ve tried coming up with my thoughts on this one, but I keep coming back to “Booooooooooooooo”
01/12, 5:02 PM
posted by:
BCM
Average 5 minutes a *day* at the gas pump? I can see 5 min per fillup, but per day? I average about 5 min a month, but I don’t commute. Is SUV mileage that bad?
01/12, 6:31 PM
posted by:
Ernie
This is such a waste of time, we already have pumps with the built in screens with their adds and tidbits of news etc., I never pay any attention to them. How about this for an idea; scrap this junk and pass on the savings through lower gas prices.
And on ‘low gas price’ days I can just image the frustrations that are going to arise, because some idiot is buying coffee or a lottery ticket while there’s a chorus of honks from all the cars lined up behind him waiting for the pump!
01/12, 6:42 PM
posted by:
James
Ha ha, I can see it now…
You pull up, slide your card, put the nozzle in the tank.
The M$ software figures out the make, model and year of your car – therefore how big the tank is, and then attempts to pump that amount into the tank. This causes an overflow, spilling gas everywhere!. Then, it sends you a text message, to inform you that it has completed, which activates your cell phone, and causes the whole station to blow up!!!
01/12, 7:27 PM
posted by:
thelostsoul
Umm…isn’t this kinda pointless in states like NJ where you can’t fill your own tank? I think it may even be illegal to attempt to operate the pump by yourself…..
01/13, 3:10 AM
posted by:
BAC
Trust me if Microsoft makes it, it’s not gonna work right.
Why can’t you pump your own gas in NJ?
01/13, 4:21 AM
posted by:
Willed
It’s bad enough when a Microsoft PC crashes… imagine adding petrol into that mix!