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EcoATM Recycles Your Gadgets, Gives You Some Cash While You’re at It

Hazel Chua — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:41 +0000

Gadgets like mobile phones and tablets have a quick turnover rate. By that, I mean you can expect a newer version of that cellphone you just bought after a couple of months or so.

So if you’re the type who’s always buying new phones and updating your devices, then it’s time you head to the ecoATM nearest you to start recycling your old gadgets.

Not only will you be doing good old Mother Nature a favor here by recycling old stuff that you might no longer need or use, but you’ll also get some quick cash in return.

The ecoATM is an automated gadget recycler with a touchscreen and a metal tray below where you’re supposed to put your smartphone, MP3 player, or other device to be recycled.

The ecoATM then uses its camera to determine what kind of device you’re recycling by comparing it to its database that’s been inputted with over 4,000 different gadgets. It will then ask you to plug your device in so it can check if it still works or not. When it’s done with its analysis, it then displays a quote for your gadget, which you can either accept or reject.

If you accept its offer, the ecoATM then dispenses cash in return for your device. The ecoATM already has some machines up and running in California, while more will be rolled out across the country gradually.

[via Daily Mail]

While Humans Occupy Wall Street, Snake Occupies ATM

Conner Flynn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:00:51 +0000

I’m not saying that snakes are smart or anything, but I find it odd that while so many humans are occupying…everything, that this snake just happened to find itself in an ATM machine. Is he showing his solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street group?

In any case, banks have so many snakes in their boardrooms, that one was bound to get stuck in an ATM sooner or later. Here’s how this story goes: A man goes to get some cash from a Caja Madrid bank machine in Llodio, Alava, Spain. Next thing he knows, his cash appears in the slot, along with a snake!

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The snake struck at his hand, but given the current state of the world economy, he grabbed his money anyway. It’s just what you have to do in that situation. All ended well though. He called the police and a bank manager activated the cash release that had trapped the snake.

The snake was presumably returned to the board room on the top floor of the bank, where he sipped champagne, lit a cigar with a thousand dollar bill and made jokes about the 99%.

[via Neatorama]

LEGO ATM Doesn’t Charge Any Fees for Withdrawals

Technabob — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:44:58 +0000

If you’re a regular Technabob reader, I think it’s clear that you can make just about anything using LEGO bricks. Take for instance, this ATM machine, made using LEGO NXT components.

LEGO-master Ronald McCrae’s incredible Brick Bank ATM can accept an ATM card and store account balances in its internal customer database. Just like the real thing, it can check for a correct PIN number, and hold onto your card if you enter the wrong number more than three times. It can even make change from paper money, and be calibrated to accept any currency.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Amazingly, this thing is almost entirely constructed from off-the-shelf LEGO bits. Ronald only added a HiTechnic IRLink and a Codatex RFID sensor to read the ATM cards. Funny thing is, I trust this ATM with my money much more than the ones that run on Windows.

[via Brothers Brick via Make:]

Never Put Your Money in This Bank

Technabob — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 22:15:33 +0000

I’m always wondering about those suspicious looking automatic teller machines you see in every little bodega and convenience store these days. You know… Will my ATM card get eaten? Will they steal my PIN number? Will it wipe all the money out of my bank account?

Apparently, the Russian bank which owns this ATM either didn’t bother to activate the copy of Windows installed on its internal computer, or is running a bootleg copy of the operating system. Either way, its done nothing to instill confidence in my use of ATMs.

It’s bad enough that so many our our financial transactions run through such an insecure and unstable operating system as Windows, but this has gotta take the cake.

Now I don’t know much about the liquidity of the banks in Russia, but I’d say to steer clear of this one for sure.

[via EnglishRussia via The Raw Feed]