New Scaratings

The tablets as playmakers that Mr Bush mentioned in the call are closer than I thought. It seems they are already being tested at a BWW in Toronto with Minneapolis next. The fears that we had about the playmakers being used for facebookers is exactly what BWW wants. Ackkkk.

Also BWW is using them for placing food/drink orders, marketing etc.

SteveJ or anyone in Toronto care to find this BWW and see how it works?? Same as any Ipad I suppose.

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Buffalo Wild Wings: Chicken, beer -- and iPads?
The red-hot chain is expanding testing of at-table tablets.
By Kyle Woodley on Money.MSN.com


For decades, scores of customers have flooded Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD +0.96%) for its sauced-up chicken.
Soon, they might be sticking around for the Apples.

Buffalo Wild Wings recently announced an expansion of its tester program to put Apple (AAPL +2.40%) iPads in the hands of customers -- a tech initiative that could keep the good times rolling for this successful restaurant stock.

The wing-slingin' chain is testing the iPads as a tool for letting customers order food and drink from their tables. The iPads also are being tested as at-table entertainment systems -- a huge upgrade over the ubiquitous NTN Buzztime (NTN + 0%) pads used for bar trivia -- that would feature not only games but connectivity to social media like Facebook and Twitter.

Tablets-as-menus have popped up in smaller chains and individual restaurants over the past few years, but Buffalo Wild Wings -- with more than 800 stores -- is one of the largest chains to give them a go. The company has been working out technical problems in its Toronto location, and now it's ready to launch its next tests in a Minneapolis location to see what uses the iPads ultimately will combine.

The possible benefits from tablet use across BWLD's locations are numerous. Allowing customers to easily order what they want, when they want, could loosen their purse strings. And don't think waiters will be put out of work. Director of international business Tim Murphy says waiters will have more time to interact with guests and promote Buffalo Wild Wings' food and drinks, according to ComputerWorld.

Adding iPads also could have a strong pull on the female demographic. According to Buffalo Wild Wings, testing showed that male customers typically wanted to watch sports, while women were more likely to pick up an iPad and launch Facebook -- a point likely not lost on BWLD management, which is heavily dominated by women, including longtime CEO Sally Smith.

Also, iPads could become the next-generation commercial place mat, with ads gracing the menu or game screens.

Of course, Buffalo Wild Wings doesn't really need the help.

http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.as ... c74c9ea007

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BUD - Stained Glass Pub Silver Spring MD
OC BUD - Grotto Pizza DE near Ocean City MD

LET'S GO ....Orioles and the 9 and 5!!

I'm okay with a LOT of reservations. It is easier to steal and use outside of the bar one of these iPads than it is a playmaker. I would hope that there is SOME way of securing these items to every seat in the bar. By secure, I mean possibly bolted to a stand that is bolted to the table, and hopefully with permanently attached power supply. It would have to be one at ever seat, because if you get a half dozen kids and no permanent attachment/power, you'll have a dozen or more at their table with run down batteries and kids that won't give them up. Definitely see a shortage of iPad playmakers if there isn't one per seat. Kids aren't as careful with them as adults would be, so I expect them to be on the floor, broken, etc, more often than playmakers.

Another concern I just thought of. I hope the "app store" icon, and any other method of installing apps is removed. Otherwise, anything goes on these bab boys, possibly downloading a virus or two. And if I can download my radio apps (iHeart and TuneIn), expect the store's internet bandwidth to go downhill FAST.

I posted the link on NTN facebook page and this is what they replied.

NTN Buzztime, Inc. This is actually unrelated to Buzztime. These are not Buzztime tablets that they are testing out, and the games on them are unrelated to Buzztime.

I did email Sandi about this also to get more.

She sent this.:"How funny… that just came up in a meeting today. Although this is completely unrelated to Buzztime. These iPads that they are testing out is a totally different company, completely unrelated to us. Nothing to do with Buzztime.

I would agree that the tablet itself is better… they’re using iPads and we have old technology. Although I think everyone will be happy with the new tablets that we are developing."

Thanks for the clarification Harry. The article sure made it sound like it was BT.

So BT has table top game competition at BWW? That's not good. But at least those other tablets will keep the faceybookers happy and away from the playmakers.

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BUD - Stained Glass Pub Silver Spring MD
OC BUD - Grotto Pizza DE near Ocean City MD

LET'S GO ....Orioles and the 9 and 5!!

Sure Bud, I was thinking about the other games and what that will mean to BT and the number of players at the sites. Bad enough with all the things on the INTERNET.

Sounds like Buzztime should be working on a mobile playmaker app for the BWW tablets. I don't see BWW stores maintaining two separate tablet systems; their own and Buzztime's.

On a separate note I'm guessing they are using ipads for the convenience and expediency of the test, because capable generic tablets can be had for a fraction of the price. 800 stores x 40 tablets = 36,000 tablets.

Most of you have seen how messy the Playmakers get with all the BWW sauces. Can you imagine how filthy the iPads will get? A single wet wipe probably won't be enough!

Isn't there already a Playmaker app for Apple? It works on the iPhone. Shouldn't it work on the iPad? I know it works on my Droid. It just sucks up power and then I'm not able to text while playing.

This was just posted on Facebook where I asked about it.

NTN Buzztime, Inc. "I have confirmed that these iPads that they are testing out has nothing to do with Buzztime. Players cannot use the iPads to play Buzztime."

I use the iPod app occasionally, but of my teammates always plays on an iPad, and it works great. I get a kick out of it - it looks enormous on that display.

Our rep has been talking about new playmakers for months now, but I don't think she said much about what they will look like.

Okay, I understand that these are being developed separately from BT, and are not for the specific purpose of playing BT. But if it's really an iPad, as opposed to a more generic tablet, shouldn't it be able to access the BT system the same way an iPad does now: via the Internet?

COOGS brings his iPad with us all the time to serve as one of our playmakers so we don't need as many boxes.

Brooke/AARDVK

I'm not convinced that pad technology fits BT's model. Currently, the blue PM is unique, a repeat customer sees it and knows it's good for exactly one thing. A new customer sees it and wonders what it's used for because he's never seen one before.

Also, I love the fact that the keys on the current PM's are raised and give when you press them. You don't have to look at the box at all, it's like touch-typing. With a pad all feel is lost and you must look down at the pad to be sure where your fingers are.

I'm not saying there wouldn't be positives, but I'm just not sure what they would be and if they would outweigh the negatives.

BO

In addition to that, on a touchscreen it is easy to mistakenly change your answer by accidentally brushing a fingertip against the screen. This happens to me on occasion when I am looking up at the clues with my hand poised over the screen. I really like having the option to use the iPod app, and it works well, but I always use a PM unless we have a big crowd and run out of PMs.

I did see something similar a few years ago at a place called UWINK (now out of business).
Each table had an attached screen that was used for ordering food and drinks and could be used to play various games including trivia. They also could set up trivia competitions within the bar.
I only played a few times but it did look interesting.

Especially the nipple key (AKA the 5 key on the number side of the PM)....lmao

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Mitch (MTCHWF/WLFFLY)

Co-Home Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings Edwardsville, IL and Time Out in St Louis, MO

I think you should explain the nipple key in detail to the Hooter's girls.....

BO

Maybe I will or Maybe I not.....

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Mitch (MTCHWF/WLFFLY)

Co-Home Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings Edwardsville, IL and Time Out in St Louis, MO

I live in the Minneapolis area and will try them out whenever they announce a specific location for the test.

"There's nothing I like more than feeling firm nipples under my fingers"

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