Physical in-store uses for Bitcoin

[thephfactor]

OK, I'm looking for peoples ideas as to how bitcoin could be used in-store to buy things. I saw bitbills and although its some amount of progress it doesn't provide a good solution. I your suggestions please use technology available today and provide links so we can understand exactly how your idea works.

One of my ideas have been: An app on an iPhone that contains your Bitcoin wallet. When the cashier rings up the amount, the amount is communicated to the app and the app generates a QR code that, when scanned, completes the transaction.

[tomcollins]

OK, I'm looking for peoples ideas as to how bitcoin could be used in-store to buy things. I saw bitbills and although its some amount of progress it doesn't provide a good solution. I your suggestions please use technology available today and provide links so we can understand exactly how your idea works.

One of my ideas have been: An app on an iPhone that contains your Bitcoin wallet. When the cashier rings up the amount, the amount is communicated to the app and the app generates a QR code that, when scanned, completes the transaction.

Go to mtgox.  Have them transfer you something called "Dollars".  Use those at the store.

[ploum]

I foresee that most people will not have bitcoin installed. Instead, they will have an account in a bitcoin-bank. Thus, it is very easy to have a debit card. It would works the same way it is working today: tell your bank that you spend some money in favor of vendor X. Vendor X receives OK and trust the bank to have sent the money.

For the most advanced scenario, I've written this (in french) in the following little story: http://ploum.net/post/futur-economie

The way it works is very simple:

- The vendor gives you a QR code which embed a bitcoin address.
- You scan the QR code with your phone and have to enter a pin code and confirm the amount
- The bitcoin address is sent to your bitcoind, which could be either your bank account, your remote computer or a local wallet on your phone, it doesn't matter.
- The vendor see a green "confirmed" as soon as the transaction have been confirmed enough (which depends on the price)

[FatherMcGruder]

I foresee people buying things with Ripple and bitcoin simultaneously. Until there's enough confirmations on a given transaction, a debt gets applied to the buyers Ripple profile. When the transaction gets enough confirmations, Ripple debt gets paid back. I imagine a smart phone client would handle it all.

[MoonShadow]

This topic has been covered extensively in past threads.  Search for the vending machine thread, Dash7, QR codes, Poker chip tokens, and the power failure thread.

EDIT:  And search for the Iphone and Android apps & widgets, they already exist in beta development.