Thats right, you can now buy an iPod shuffle or iPod nano from a vending machine. Insert your MasterCard like a straigtend one doller bill, and *thump* your brand new iPod nano has fallen to your reach like a Snickers bar. A quick google on “zoom shop” brought this PC Mag article. The San Francisco based company seems off to a good start and is looking to expand it’s locations and products for purchase.

While I didn’t have time to play, the touch panel interface looked easy to use and the machine presented an overall high quality feel. While it’s yet another interesting direction in automated commerce, I can’t help but question two things: 1) I’m surprised Apple agreed to have it’s product re-sold in such a manner. For a company obsessed with the customer purchase experience and over all brand integrity, it seems like an uncharacteristic move. 2) Are you allowed to shake the machine if your $200 nano gets stuck like a ¢75 bag of M&Ms?