Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory

Keywords: Match:
Restaurant pay station runs Windows CE
Apr. 22, 2008

Tabletop Media has introduced a Windows CE-based device designed to let restaurant customers pay their bills without having to flag down a waiter. With an integral card reader and printer, the wireless "Tabletop" device computes tips, splits checks, and emails receipts, the company says.

(Click here for a larger view of the Tabletop device)

The Tabletop device is not designed to remove a waiter from the loop entirely, though having the hardware take orders would no doubt be technically feasible. Instead, its pre-meal features include displaying specials -- which can be changed according to the time of day -- plus movie times, weather, and traffic information.

Customers can interact with the wireless device using its touchscreen, retrieving product information such as nutritional data. They can also use it to view movie trailers and purchase tickets at nearby theaters. Once they're through eating, diners can summon up a check whenever they wish. They can then pay by credit, debit, or gift cards using the device's card reader. Cash payment is still possible too, but requires the unit to summon a waiter.

Receipts can either be printed on the device's integral printer or emailed to a customer-specified address. The unit also makes it easy to split checks and compute tips, according to Tabletop. As a result of all this, customer satisfaction is improved, and tables become available for subsequent customers more quickly, the company claims.

The device's rotating stand incorporates a rack intended to hold sugar packets, and salt and pepper shakers. While Tabletop did not release hardware details, the device is based on Windows CE and the .NET Compact Framework. Additional Microsoft technologies employed are said to include Windows Server 2005, SQL Server 2005, and IIS (internet information services) 2.0.

No word was given as to pricing or when the device will be available nationally. However, it is currently being tested at Cozymel's Mexican Grill in Grapevine, Texas, and was reviewed by the Dallas Morning News. Reviewer Victor Godinez wrote, "I was thrilled with the little gadget, and I hope it becomes as ubiquitous on restaurant tables as Sweet'N Low."

To read the review, see the Dallas Morning News website, here.



Related stories:


(Click here for further information)


Windows XP for Embedded Applications
This white paper describes the benefits of using Windows XP when developing embedded applications.

A Manager's Guide to Selecting a Mobile Device Operating System
This white paper offers a comparative review of Microsoft Windows CE and Windows Mobile.

Visual Basic 6.0 to .NET Migration
This paper focuses on the methodology and techniques which Infosys (Microsoft Technology Center) has developed for migrating VB 6.0 Applications to .NET. Our approach ensures a smooth, cost effective, and efficient migration.

Mobile Device Security: Securing the Handheld, Securing the Enterprise
This whitepaper identifies security threats to corporate data on mobile devices and details how mobile devices can become a "backdoor" to the enterprise.

Mobile Device Security: The Eight Areas of Risk
It's common knowledge that adding mobile devices to your network increases security risks. There are multiple facets to mobile security, all of which should be paid close attention to. This E-Guide presents a more in depth look into the eight key areas of securing wireless devices.

Quality Assurance and .NET
This paper discusses best practices for functional, regression and load testing of .NET applications.

SCADA Security in Integrated Networks
As businesses leverage their SCADA systems by integrating them into the business networks, they must also assure the security of the SCADA system.

The Advantages of Small Form Factor HMI
HMIs have mutated and changed with new requirements, and they have become more flexible and capable. And while they've been doing that, they've become smaller and more useful.

9 Critical Requirements for Web Application Security
Learn why your Web applications expose dangerous security breaches and what’s required to effectively protect your Web applications and the sensitive information behind them.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)


Updated! The latest Windows-powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets

HOT TOPICS
Microsoft targets PNDs with new embedded OS
Microsoft tips .NET MF 3.0 highlights
Microsoft previews Windows Embedded Standard
Microsoft offers free Windows CE 6.0 textbook
Microsoft renames embedded operating systems
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
New Atom models target low-cost PCs
REFERENCE GUIDES
Windows Device Showcase
Intro to Windows Embedded
Intro to Shared Source
Real-time Windows Embedded
Windows Embedded books
Join our Windows Embedded discussion forums:
Windows XP Embedded
Windows CE
Windows Mobile


Windows Embedded developer newsgroups
Windows CE
XP Embedded
PocketPC
Smartphone

Microsoft's Windows Embedded resources
Embedded dev center
Mobile dev center
Windows CE tutorials
XP Embedded tutorials
Windows Embedded seminars
Windows Embedded application categories
3rd-party partners


BREAKING NEWS

• "3.5-inch" SBC has DVI port
• All-in-one PC sports dual cores
• "Green" integrated PC runs Windows XP Embedded
• Low-cost SSDs target netbooks
• Video discusses forward driver ports
• Nettop is "almost fanless"
• App edits Office docs on smartphones
• HTC phones rev'd to Windows Mobile 6.1
• MID revs to Atom, HSDPA
• 3D world demo'd on Windows Mobile device
• HTC keeps non-touchscreen faith
• Patent dispute threatens GPS imports
• SBC uses Pentium M SoC
• Windows Mobile app plays YouTube, streamed media
• ESC Boston features free SBCs


MOST POPULAR (last 90 days)
• "Netbook" uses Intel's Atom N270
• Updated! Windows Mobile Showcase
• iPhone-like Windows Mobile device has 16GB of storage
• Windows Mobile 6.1 phone has GPS
• Windows Mobile trouncing the iPhone?
• Updated! Windows-powered mobile tablets, webpads, UMPCs, and MIDs
• HTC phone has slide-out keyboard and TV output
• T-Mobile's Touch Diamond clone does HSUPA
• Intel's Atom powers mini-ITX board
MOST POPULAR (Classics from the vault)
The Windows Mobile Phones Showcase
Windows XP Embedded USB boot
Troubleshooting Windows XPe's blue screen "Stop 0x0000007B" error
Asus reveals $190 mini notebook
Windows Mobile 6 SDKs available for download
HTC adds GPS to Windows Mobile Touch line
Windows Mobile VPN client plays with Cisco
Guide to HTC's Windows Mobile smartphone platforms
Customizing Windows XP Embedded thin clients
Microsoft unveils Windows Mobile 6.1
The Windows Mobile Pocket PCs Showcase

Also visit our sister sites:


Sign up for WindowsForDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  Directory  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and is used by WindowsForDevices under license from owner. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. WindowsForDevices is an independent publication not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.