Note the carton it comes out in; the bitcoin receipts are printed out ahead of time, and stuffed into the vending machine like a pack of cigarettes.
A more advanced vending machine would purchase the bitcoins in real time, with the correct exchange rate, and print out the receipt on the spot. That would actually be pretty cool! Especially to think about security; you can rob a standard vending machine, but you can't steal it, disassemble it, and trick it into ordering thousands of bitcoins.
While just as functional (assuming a stable exchange rate), this particular device has zero notability as far as cool hacks go. It's a bog standard vending machine with bitcoin für euro painted on the side.
Declaring it has zero notability as far as cool hacks go is highly subjective. I for one think this is much cooler then the usual CRUD to-do list webapps we see around here so much.
I think the key thing to note is that it's an art project - perhaps the intention of mixing an old school style dispenser system with a high-tech currency was the intention.
Also a great way to introduce people to bitcoin. With this, users can scan the URL to their mobile (iPhone/Android), bookmark it and within a couple of minutes also send bitcoins from their mobile to friends mobile.
You're right, the main idea was to introduce people to Bitcoin in general. Right now putting in that coin, scanning the code, pasting and address and pressing the send button is the easiest way to donate to wikileaks from Germany :)
The mechanical aspect was 'decided' by the constraint of having it ready for the exhibition. Snapping a used machine of eBay and manually filling it with boxes was the only feasible way, although I started with the idea of a super fancy ATM-style machine.
Hi, artist here.
I want to use the moment of attention to ask around for ideas on how to conceptually build the reverse of this. The current idea would be to also use a web wallet, ie. you would preload an easywallet.org wallet with some coins, then give the URL to the machine (type, QR, whatever) and it spits out cash. There must be something more clever to solve the problem of transaction verification (inside easywallet it's instant and we don't have to wait 10m) and authentication (if the machine would receive your bitcoins on a special address, how the machine know you sent it?).
There are NFC bitcoin wallet apps for android aren't there? And "POS" NFC apps? Just cram an android board and an NFC reader in it set to accept taps, look up the exchange rate and spit out cash.
If there was a moment to use QR codes for something useful it would be that receipt. The last thing I want to do is type some 34 character case-sensitive id into my browser to get my money.
Your €1? Seriously? If you really cared about €1 you'd obfuscate the ID, and put a bogus QR, but geeze, €1? I suspect in reality that while you were busy sticking paper labels to a pub condom machine with blue-tack you forgot the obvious utility of a QR code on the ticket.
I'm still stunned that Microsoft and their Kinect wizardry can't scan those XBL codes so you don't have to waste so much time typing them in. QR codes have a use!
Most of the codes I've redeemed are for things that come bundled with something I've already purchased.
I doubt typing in an annoying code is going to make a meaningful difference in the redemption percentage of purchased point or Live cards. The biggest factor there is losing track of them.
Is there any way a practical Bitcoin ATM could be done? I.e. a machine where you can get cash Euros/Dollars/Gold from your bitcoins. The naive approach is it just has an address you send BTC to, but then you have to stand around for 30 minutes while the transaction is verified.
Something like that, but it could be done ahead of time - receive a bitcoin address & redemption code online, send your coins then ~30mins later go to the machine, enter your redemption code and receive your BTC.
Redemption code could also be a QR code. Put it on your phone & hold it up to the machine.
You can instant accept any bitcoin value that is lower to the investment to do the 51% attack or similar.
Example: no one is going to make a 51% attack to steal only 10 bitcoin from a vending machine.
Simply put a limit, or just say to the user that any amount of bitcoin over X will need Y time to get verified.
Anything lower that X amount will be instantly processed.
You should definetely use QR Codes if you want to print it on paper. I think a "secure enough" ID would be really a hassle to insert into your browser just with your fingers.
Or you sell small USB sticks with just enough flash to store your link on it (in which case increasing the minimum to 10€ would make sense).
Or maybe I'm just too simple minded and you have some creative ideas to make your IDs secure and handwritable for my Grandma?
A more advanced vending machine would purchase the bitcoins in real time, with the correct exchange rate, and print out the receipt on the spot. That would actually be pretty cool! Especially to think about security; you can rob a standard vending machine, but you can't steal it, disassemble it, and trick it into ordering thousands of bitcoins.
While just as functional (assuming a stable exchange rate), this particular device has zero notability as far as cool hacks go. It's a bog standard vending machine with bitcoin für euro painted on the side.