IBM pumps up e-commerce
The e-Port terminals contain a video screen that displays rotating advertisements where consumers can respond through a touch-screen or speakerphone. By swiping their credit card, consumers can make purchases through the machines, and can enter e-mail addresses and other information.
IBM decided to work on the e-Port to push "whole notion of pervasive computing - anytime, anywhere computing," said Robert Gault, vice president small and medium business services for IBM Global Services.
"A lot of people have been talking about it, but until Palm came out with its handheld device and some of the phone companies started coming out with data capability. There really isn't a lot until the e-Port," he said.