Tuesday October 6 12:31 PM EDT
Kiosks To Combine Web, Games, Video
Kiosks To Combine Web, Games, Video
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) _ A new company aims to do big business
by putting the Internet, video conferencing and computer games at
the fingertips of people wherever they have some time to kill. Kevin Lockerby, the president and co-owner of AVX
Communications, wants to put interactive computer kiosks just about
anywhere people stand idle _ airports and hotel check-out lines,
for instance. ``You can come off the airplane, stick in your credit card and
do e-mail,'' Lockerby said. Only a handful of companies in the United States and perhaps 30
worldwide make kiosks. The market for such machines approaches $370
million to $1 billion, depending on varying experts, and industry
analysts predict strong growth. In 1996, about 21,000 interactive kiosks were shipped in the
United States, but that number will be closer to 500,000 by 2003,
according to a report by Frost & Sullivan, an international market
research company. The product looks simple: a monitor encased in a black metal
housing, with a fold-out keyboard. But hidden in a cabinet beneath
the monitor is a custom patchwork of cables and computer
components. AVX says that unlike its established competitors, it builds the
cabinets, integrates the computer equipment and develops software
to suit the customer's needs. Other ``enclosure-only'' kiosk makers
farm out the tasks or encourage customers to find their own
programmers. An AVX system can cost from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on its
complexity. AVX also plans to rent machines for use at conferences
or other short-term applications. ``This is the new penny arcade,'' said Ernest Holmes, a former
Navy technician who is the head computer guru at AVX. But it's more expensive _ the entertainment costs about $4 for
20 minutes of Internet time _ and customers can do more than just
play games. AVX is a newly formed subsidiary of Portsmouth-based Quality
Fabricators Inc., which traditionally has gotten most of its work
from the Defense Department. Chris Ryan, QFI president and AVX co-owner, said the AVX venture
is an attempt to diversify into commercial pursuits. AVX hopes to have $10 million in sales in three years and $25
million within five years _ and ``that's just the hardware,''
Lockerby said. The programming required to create custom
applications could bring in millions more, he said.
Newsbit furnished by:
A: NetShift Software Ltd.
A: Hughenden Yard, Marlborough, Wilts,SN8 1LT, UK
T: +44 (0)1672 511 094
F: +44 (0)1672 511 078
E: [email protected]
E: [email protected]
W: www.netshift.com
Thanks Tim and Anna!
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