homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Dinner in your palm: social media and eating out [infographic]

Mobile technology is revolutionizing nearly everything consumers do. From browsing price comparisons in the store to checking movie times for nearby theaters while you’re still on the road, it’s possible to streamline virtually every activity using your smartphone. Dining is one of the most recent additions to the world of mobile conveniences.

ZME Science
May 13, 2015 @ 1:30 pm

share Share

Mobile technology is revolutionizing nearly everything consumers do. From browsing price comparisons in the store to checking movie times for nearby theaters while you’re still on the road, it’s possible to streamline virtually every activity using your smartphone. Dining is one of the most recent additions to the world of mobile conveniences. Having a smart device powered by a fast 4g network like the sleek Samsung Galaxy S6 in hand when your stomach starts rumbling can make it easier than ever to find, order, and enjoy your meal.

Starbucks has established itself as one of the forerunners with mobile ordering. Customers with the app can place an order for their caffeine fix before they stumble out of the house so the steaming cup is waiting when they stroll in the door a few minutes later. Several pizza restaurants are utilizing similar technology by offering mobile ordering through their apps. Consumers are extremely receptive to this type of technology, with 74 percent of those aged 18 to 34 saying they would order delivery or takeout through a mobile device if it was available.

If you’re in the mood for a more leisurely meal, your smartphone can help here, too. Restaurant finder apps are hardly new, offering locations, phone numbers, menus, and reviews on the fly, so you can pinpoint the best options in your vicinity. Reservation apps are joining the scene as well, making it easy to snag a table before you arrive to minimize your wait.

Mobile conveniences extend all the way into the restaurant. Thirty percent of consumers have used a restaurant’s app to pay their bill. Forrester predicts that mobile payments will reach $142 billion by 2019 as people ditch their wallets for the convenience of paying with a smartphone. Thanks to smartphones, the traditional dining experience may never be quite the same again. Read on to learn more about how technology is changing the way we dine.

Mobile dining

share Share

“How Fat Is Kim Jong Un?” Is Now a Cybersecurity Test

North Korean IT operatives are gaming the global job market. This simple question has them beat.

The UAE Wants AI to Write Its Laws — What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

But can machines really grasp justice, fairness, and human rights?

AI Made Up a Science Term — Now It’s in 22 Papers

A mistranslated term and a scanning glitch birthed the bizarre phrase “vegetative electron microscopy”

This Sensor Box Can Detect Deadly Bird Flu in 5 Minutes. But It Won't Stop the Current Outbreak

The biosensor can detect viral airborne particles.

These Robot Dogs Kept Going Viral on Social Media — Turns Out, They Have a Spying Backdoor

It looks like a futuristic pet, but the Unitree Go1 robot dog came with a silent stowaway.

If you use ChatGPT a lot, this study has some concerning findings for you

So, umm, AI is not your friend — literally.

Miyazaki Hates Your Ghibli-fied Photos and They're Probably a Copyright Breach Too

“I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself,” he said.

Bad microphone? The people on your call probably think less of you

As it turns out, a bad microphone may be standing between you and your next job.

This AI Tool Can Scan Your Food and Tell You Exactly How Many Calories and Other Nutrients It Has

Knowing what's inside your food has never been so easy.

Astronauts Can Now Print Metal in Space and It’s a Game Changer for Future Missions

ESA’s metal 3D printer aboard the ISS could revolutionize space exploration by enabling self-sufficient missions.