With all the Android (and the iPad) options out there, why do they have to roll out their own tablet hardware at all?
(besides the obvious "because it's rugged" answer, which could obviously be solved with a case on any other tablet)
Menu systems are simple, and don't need much in the way of processing power. They don't need to be full-featured web browsers, or be able to run high-end games. An e-Ink screen would be enough for most places. This approach even makes sense from a recycling point of view - just use screens from old iPads or Kindles for the in-house tablets.
Another fine example: the Kno
That, and you need better signature capture.
Why do the banks need signatures in the US? Specially badly-drawn ones that don't even ressemble the actual signatures? (I can never sign properly in one of those POS machines from CVS, ever)
Some banks now offer the option to bypass signature capture at the tradeoff of a slightly higher merchant rate. Many quick-serve restaurants (Chipotle comes to mind) will take the hit in return for processing customers faster. Time is money.
Given how badly I sign the UPS pad when picking up a delivery, I can't see these signatures as being usable.