Downloader: Snapfinger lets you order food using your iPhone, may spell the end of waiters

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Snapfinger lets you order food using your iPhone, may spell the end of waiters

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, web 2.0

It's sure taken long enough, but it seems like computer-assisted ordering of food is FINALLY upon us! Not only can you order take-out food with your iPhone, but one restaurant chain is looking to fire its waitresses and replace them with an iPad on the dinner table.

The NY Times story details the quick rise of Kudzu Interactive and its Snapfinger software [iTunes Link]. Basically, Snapfinger interfaces with thousands of restaurants in the United States and Canada to bring real-time menus and pricing to your iPhone.

The app also up-sells for you, prompting you to buy a side portion of rice or salad or 'slaw -- and as a result, Snapfinger orders are 15% larger than regular take-out orders! Convenience wins, as always.

But the kicker (for the serving staff at least...), is that one restaurant chain plans to replace menus with iPads running the Snapfinger software. You could all but do away with waiters and waitresses!

Service charges be damned! I wonder if they'll protect the iPads with some kind of silicone cover...