OREO Trending Vending
(via Digital Buzz Blog)
There's nothing cooler than a machine that creates custom OREO cookies on-demand based on world's trending topic. Debuted during SXSW Interactive, this one sets the bar high among tons of 3D printers introduced to the public. It all started in a vacant parking lot right across the Austin Convention Center, causing a stir since it takes at least an hour to get one piece. It's no rocket science, but it's no ordinary Oreo either. Each trend is related to a particular flavor combination and color scheme. In collaboration with Twitter, people get to choose their own trending hashtags. Not surprisingly, #bitcoin, #ellenselfie and #grumpycat were among those 10,000 possible combinations.
I stood in front of the machine like a fat kid in a candy store; hungry and in awe. Real-time data collection combined with 3D printing technology? Sheer awesomeness. The high-tech machine itself didn't really impress a lot of interactive badge-holders who were possibly more tech-savvy than any of us, but it was amazing how the company came up with such a memorable experience to engage with the brand and what's going on in the world.
The downside; it didn't take less than two minutes to operate as advertised. Costed me three attempts before this blonde lady, possibly intoxicated, took over with her "get-the-fuck-out" face without knowing that it had to undergo several bug fixes and maintenance while she was busy stuffing her face in free packaged Oreo cookies.
