iPads Go to Work at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas

The VAR Guy covers the POS scene from time to time, often noting how Apple devices are slowly supplanting Windows Mobile devices and other proprietary third-party units. But at The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, The VAR Guy was treated to a unique experience: iPads as a permanent POS fixture.

When The VAR Guy checked in at The Cosmopolitan, he was asked to sign his  John Hancock with a finger on the iPad that was built into the reception desk. And while the person working the reception computer was finalizing details, the iPad offered a mini-informational tour, which doubled as an advertising screen for the various Vegas attractions.

Why is The VAR Guy so impressed by this? Because it’s so brilliantly simple. The iPad is a 10-inch screen that’s essentially a blank slate for anything. But by making the iPad a permanent fixture, it’s become more than a POS device, it’s become a digital signage device, and it’s also become an informational kiosk. It’s a move similarly made by Delta at its JFK terminal almost a year ago.

But if it’s so simple, then why aren’t more companies deploying it? It’s an interesting question, and it’s one that may be solved shortly. The VAR Guy has heard rumors that Apple is seeking channel partners to officially support iOS as a platform. Our resident blogger believes there’s a 75 percent chance this rumor may be true.

As iOS gains momentum through third-party means (The VAR Guy doesn’t believe Apple directly implemented the POS system at The Cosmopolitan) Apple likely has its eye on shaping that experience, and potentially bringing in the channel to help do it. That could mean POS may be the next big wave in channel sales. Stay tuned.