Screens a part of shopping

One of my best tech experiences this year has been ordering a meal at McDonald’s. The company’s new digital ordering system, which looks like a giant smartphone, is a rarity in the tech world – easy to use.

I’m amazed that an old-school fast-food company can create a touch-screen experience that is as good as Google or Apple.

First, it’s big and easy to read and responds well to touch.

But it’s the user interface that shines. It lets you customise your order and it’s smart enough to let you go back and add or remove items.

It’s also a lot better and faster than staring up at billboard menu and mumbling through your order.

This sort of tech will become more common in restaurants and stores.

Air New Zealand was an early adopter of touch-screens for customers.

The digital contact you have with a company can influence your relationship with it

Its tech is OK and works well when it’s just a simple check-in but it is not that smart.

For example, you can’t include baggage such as car seats for children without getting a staff member to assist.

The first touch-screen you probably used was your bank’s ATM. This was first generation tech but it hasn’t really progressed.

Another one I use often is at supermarket checkouts, which are really convenient.

Companies need to be smart as they introduce tech such as touchscreens and chatbots to customers.

The digital contact you have with a company can influence your relationship with it.

No-one like using tech that makes them feel dumb or that doesn’t work properly.

One concern is what happens to the workers who have been replaced by tech.

McDonald’s says it will redeploy, not reduce, staff.

However, banks have been cutting frontline staff for years as digital tools become common.

While some may lament the loss of staff when visiting a store cleverly designed tech can speed up and enhance your shopping experience.

An added bonus is that it can help you avoid being embarrassed in front of staff as you order that extra burger.