Summary

Original source:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0505250171may25,1,5662312.story?coll=chi-techtopheds-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

Details

• Burning CDs, downloading mobile-phone ring tones and printing digital-quality photos soon could be the newest things on McDonald's menu.
• In a bid to draw the young and tech-savvy into its restaurants, McDonald's Corp. has begun pilot testing a new ATM-style device called the Blaze Net that allows customers to buy music and ring tones, print photos and surf the Web at the restaurant.
• Open since May 16, the new flagship restaurant near the Oakbrook Center shopping mall combines several high-tech gadgets yet to be seen in more conventional McDonald's eateries.
• The gadgets complement such unusual food offerings as lattes in the McCafe section of the store that is more reminiscent of a Starbucks than a burger joint.
• What is compelling, said Whitman, is the fact that the new restaurant "gives our customers the ability to do things at McDonald's they can't do at other places.
• The pilot test employs four remote computer screens at sit-down stations linked to two Blaze Net media production centers that spit out CDs and pictures.
• "The first step in the U.S. is Oak Brook," said First.
• The pilot test of the technology follows the initial introduction of similar equipment in Munich in November.
• Ideal for laptop, iPod and PDA users and even customers with little or no Web experience, the new Oak Brook flagship restaurant promises to be a live testing ground not only for technological ideas but also new menu items, said Whitman.
• The restaurant, with Wi-Fi internet access, multiple flat-screen TVs and video monitors upstairs and down, is dedicated to Charlie Bell, the former McDonald's chief executive who died of cancer in January, just eight months after becoming the youngest ever to get the job.

Related Articles

Popular Topics: McDonald's, McDonalds, Restaurants, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/008281.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/008281.html">McDonald's turns to technology to tempt patrons</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts