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Sally Cohen

Review: Stern’s Pinball Avengers: Infinity Quest

Review: Stern’s Pinball Avengers: Infinity Quest 518 755 GAD Vending

Pinball News gave a complete review of Stern’s newest release – Avengers: Infinity Quest

Here’s an excerpt: 

Stern Pinball today announced their new ‘cornerstone’ game title, Avengers: Infinity Quest, designed by Keith Elwin with artwork by Jeremy Packer a.k.a. Zombie Yeti.

A ‘cornerstone’ game is an in-house design which comes in the familiar three variants; Pro, Premium and Limited Edition. In this case the Limited Edition is limited to 500 machines.

This isn’t the first Avengers game from Stern. The George Gomez design was produced at the end of 2012 with the usual Pro/Premium/LE full-size variants – with the LEs available in two versions – followed by a The Pin home model in 2013.

As with BatmanJurassic Park and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stern Pinball have returned to a previous theme for their new game title’s inspiration.

This new Avengers: Infinity Quest game is an all-new design, based on the Marvel comic book series rather than any of the popular movies. It is a six-ball, three-flipper game with the third flipper half-way up on the left side of the playfield.

Read the entire article at Pinball News

All Access Tour of American Pinball Factory

All Access Tour of American Pinball Factory 2560 1920 GAD Vending

Looking to Remote Control Your Vending Machines?

Looking to Remote Control Your Vending Machines? 1440 250 GAD Vending

There are many new software upgrades in the remote management world of vending machines. As we move beyond COVID, there will remain residual desires to keep your equipment clean, well stocked and managed. Crane Remote Software solutions give you many options to control your vending business.

UC professor uses pinball to teach engineering

UC professor uses pinball to teach engineering 1280 695 GAD Vending

University of Cincinnati  is using pinball machines to teach engineering, robotics, automation autonomous systems and AI.

Excerpt: 

“I am trying to develop control strategies or AI strategies to operate in adversarial environments to achieve our goals, taking into account the actions of other agents,” Fuchs said. “For example, dogfighting strategies of autonomous systems is one application. The optimal way to dogfight an opponent is dependent on how they are trying to dogfight you. We use a field of math called game theory in which we solve for both sides of the problem at the same time.”

Fuchs said they can apply this concept to different applications as a test vehicle, including video games and pinball. Pinball machines are a much easier and cheaper tool to test their concepts, instead of worrying about flying around and potentially crashing expensive U.S. Air Force planes, Fuchs quipped.

Read the entire article

 

New! Hyosung ATM Disinfection Kits Coming Soon

New! Hyosung ATM Disinfection Kits Coming Soon 1200 800 GAD Vending

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public demand for enhanced user experiences. With customer safety being one of our top priorities, we developed industry-leading disinfection protection for the company’s ATMs to help in the fight against the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.

DISINFECTION OFFERINGS
Starting Fall 2020, disinfection upgrade kits will be available for Hyosung ATMs. We have chosen to address customer safety with installation services and LED lights. Each disinfection upgrade kit will be installed by GAD Vending certified technicians in our Midwest service area. Upgrades are by appointment. Each kit includes the following features:
  • Silver Ion Antimicrobial Touchscreen
  • Silver Ion Antimicrobial Keypad (plus function keys if required)
  • Violet Blue LED Sterilization Lights

Utilizing silver ion technology, which provides a 99.9% microbe growth reduction rate, Hyosung’s antimicrobial touchscreen and keypad upgrades are made from EPA-approved products that provide permanent protection by continuously inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.

For further protection, the upgrade kit also features violet blue LED lights to disinfect the most common ATM touch points including the touchscreen and keypad providing 99% sterilization. Violet blue LED light was selected because unlike UV light, it is harmless to humans and is already commonly used as a disinfectant in the medical field. This unique two-step approach provides superior protection for Hyosung ATM users.

ANTIMICROBIAL COATING SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE

In addition to the disinfection upgrade kits, Hyosung is announcing a new service for existing ATMs to apply an antimicrobial coating that will protect ATM surfaces. Certified technicians will apply the coating to ensure the ATM continues to function properly and recommend reapplying after six months.

Unlike solutions promoted by others, Hyosung’s disinfection solutions are easily implemented and do not change how the user interacts with the ATM. Offering the broadest coverage and longest-lasting protection, Hyosung has developed the most comprehensive approach for ATM safety in the industry.

Please contact your Hyosung Sales Representative or Certified Dealer to determine which options are right for you.

PRESS RELEASE

IRVING, Texas, July 28, 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened public demand for enhanced user experiences. Hyosung America, the North American market share leader and fastest-growing ATM manufacturer, is announcing industry-leading disinfection protection for the company’s ATMs to help in the fight against the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, and help ease consumers’ safety concerns with using ATMs. “The well-being of our ATM users is of the utmost importance, and we began working as soon as the pandemic arrived to design a solution to maximize the safety of our ATMs,” said Hyosung America CEO Hee-Eun Ahn. “Hyosung wanted to provide a comprehensive solution to address concerns today as well as into the future.” Starting this fall, disinfection upgrade kits will be available for Hyosung ATMs. Each disinfection upgrade kit will be installed by certified technicians and include the following features:

  • Silver Ion Antimicrobial Touchscreen
  • Silver Ion Antimicrobial Keypad (plus function keys if required)
  • Violet Blue LED Sterilization Lights

Utilizing silver ion technology, which provides a 99.9% microbe growth reduction rate, Hyosung’s antimicrobial touchscreen and keypad upgrades are made from EPA-approved products that provide permanent protection by continuously inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.

For further protection, the upgrade kit also features violet blue LED lights to disinfect the most common ATM touchpoints including the touchscreen and keypad providing 99% sterilization. Violet blue LED light was selected because unlike UV light, it is harmless to humans and is already commonly used as a disinfectant in the medical field. This unique two-step approach provides superior protection for Hyosung ATM users.

In addition to the disinfection upgrade kits, Hyosung is announcing a new service for existing ATMs to apply an antimicrobial coating that will protect ATM surfaces. Certified technicians will apply the coating to ensure the ATM continues to function properly and recommend reapplying after six months.

Unlike solutions promoted by others, Hyosung’s disinfection solutions are easily implemented and do not change how the user interacts with the ATM.  Offering the broadest coverage and longest-lasting protection, Hyosung has developed the most comprehensive approach for ATM safety in the industry.

“These solutions underscore Hyosung’s unique value proposition in the ATM industry as the owner of our intellectual property, design and manufacturing,” said Ahn. “This ownership allows us to quickly respond to changes in user behavior and the market.”

Click here for more information: https://hyosungamericas.com/atm-disinfection-enhancements

 About Hyosung America

Hyosung America is the North American subsidiary of South Korea-based Hyosung, Inc., a global leader providing ATMs to the retail off-premises and financial institution markets. Since entering the North American market in 1998, Hyosung has become the largest provider of ATMs in the United States. Hyosung America is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and provides research and development support in its Global Software Center in Dayton, Ohio. For more information about Hyosung solutions, visit hyosungamericas.com or contact your Hyosung authorized dealer, GAD Vending.

AMI: Ready To Tap In to ROI On Your TV’s?

AMI: Ready To Tap In to ROI On Your TV’s? 1009 602 GAD Vending

Check out AMI’s new Tap In TV product to create revenue for your TV’s. Don’t wait for sports to start!

Vending Machine Coffee: Transforming the Way You Experience Coffee

Vending Machine Coffee: Transforming the Way You Experience Coffee 642 410 GAD Vending

Perception meets reality. From the moment when a made-to-order selection is made from the 18 delicious selections, to choosing the most convenient method of payment, to the interactive messaging, to the delivery of a delicious finished product, VOCE MEDIA delivers a positive consumer experience. VOCE MEDIA serves barista style specialty beverages that broaden appeal to Generation Y consumers, while building consumption beyond the traditional morning day part. With the same brewing process as equipment used in the high end coffee retail channel, the VOCE MEDIA finished drink profile mirrors all of the important attributes of consistency, taste, aroma, color and appearance.

VOCE MEDIA increases daily use. Hot beverages are an essential part of our lives. They provide refreshment, enjoyment and comfort. They wake us up, keep us going, stimulate good conversation and fulfill our occasional desire for indulgence. It’s a very personal process and that’s why the VOCE MEDIA ATM user interface puts the consumer in control. Choose 18 selections; determine the strength of coffee, the amount of sugar or creamer to brew a drink specific to your taste. We’ll even give you a 4-digit PIN to order your custom drink on ensuing visits. VOCE MEDIA is a destination for great drinks, conveniently and consistently served.

We’re serving the highest quality coffees from the patented Oltre™ brewer.

The Oltre brewer is designed to exceed the highest performance standards. Brew chamber diameter, coffee cake size and peristaltic pump delivers optimum flavor extraction. The easy to clean mesh filter screen simplifies operational maintenance. Performance reliability is assured by over four million lab test vends.

Engage customers based on the innovative Crane Media Platform.

Integrate a Crane payment system. Allowing your customers to pay with cash or card. Includes built in telemetry for out of the box cashless options and remote service monitoring.

The complete Crane VOCE MEDIA solution gives you:

  • Reliable performance
  • Simplified maintenance
  • Energy efficient
  • Small footprint

Contact GAD Vending to try the VOCE vending beverages for yourself – and replace your outdated, expensive and COVID problem office coffee station.

AMI's new NGX Curve digital music jukebox. Available through gAD Vending.

Starting Up Your AMI Jukebox Post-Pandemic

Starting Up Your AMI Jukebox Post-Pandemic 750 504 GAD Vending

POST-PANDEMIC RECOMMENDATIONS FROM AMI:

AMI is working hard to make sure both operators and venues have the information and tools they need to re-open successfully. When preparing your post-pandemic re-opening checklist, here’s a few items we’d highly recommend adding to your list of to-do’s.

1. Implement Restart Procedures 24 Hours In Advance

To ensure your AMI jukebox is fully operational for a re-opening event, it’s important to implement jukebox restart procedures at least 24 hours in advance of customer engagement. For procedure details, click here.

2. Share Cleaning Recommendations with Staff

How to Clean an AMI Touchscreen: AMI touchscreens do not include a film as is used in resistive and surface capacitive touch technologies.  The touch surface is glass and any disinfectant or cleaner recommended for glass surfaces may be used to clean and disinfect the touchscreen. 70% rubbing alcohol (ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol) can be used as a disinfectant. Always spray the disinfectant/cleaner on the cloth or towel and not directly on the touchscreen.  Glass cleaner sprayed directly on the screen could possibly leak inside and cause damage.

How to Clean an AMI Currency Panel: The door panel is made of plastic. We recommend cleaning with a mild cleaner and disinfecting with rubbing alcohol using a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface.

3. Connect Your AMI Jukebox to Outdoor Speakers

Per CDC recommendations, many bars and restaurants are being cleared to re-open, but with outdoor seating only. It’s simple to connect our jukeboxes to outdoor speakers or sound systems and extend the jukebox experience to all customers. Please refer to the “Sound System Setup” section of your jukebox manual for guidance. Plus, with the AMI Music app, patrons can easily select music right from their seat and without touching the jukebox. Outdoor banner artwork is available for download.

4. Use Ad Manager to Promote Critical Safety Guidelines

Inform patrons of safety precautions your venues are taking to help demonstrate their compliance with CDC guidelines for COVID-19. Templates are available in the “Public Health” category via amientertainment.net and your AMI Co-Pilot app, and cover safety, health, cleanliness, and more.

5. Make Use of Promotional Material: Promote Mobile

Our mobile jukebox companion app, AMI Music, already allows patrons to use the jukebox without touching it, and helps them maintain a six-foot distance. Our jukebox promo loop features videos that promote the app’s touchless component. Posters and banners promoting the app are available for download to be printed at a vendor of your choice. Plus, mobile app promo cards give patrons free credits, encouraging new users to go mobile when playing the jukebox.

6. Set Your Jukebox to Mobile Only

Looking for a solution to limit surface touching but still allow patrons play the jukebox? Simply disconnect the touchscreen controller cable (serial or USB) as well as the bill acceptor(s). The jukebox will continue to play music, including selections made by patrons via the AMI Music mobile app, as well as background music stations. We recommend attaching one of these flyers (Option 1 and Option 2) to your jukebox UI screen to inform patrons how to make music selections by using the AMI Music app.

AMI’s music promotions will continue to run on second screens where applicable (i.e. music video jukeboxes). Please note that if you do have music video enabled on any of your jukeboxes, disconnecting the video wire connection to the UI screen can lead to disruption of video to external music video displays.

7. Send a Re-Opening Notification to Jukebox Users

Using your AMI Co-Pilot app, you or your venue’s location manager can send a customizable “we’re re-opened for business” message directly to the smartphones of every AMI Music app user that has purchased music on its jukebox since Nov. 2019! Check out the video tutorial, plus step-by-step instructions are also available in this online FAQ.

Consider upgrading your existing AMI jukeboxes to Win10. Microsoft is phasing out support of the XP operating system and highly recommends this upgrade.

AMI now offers an SSD/Win10 Upgrade Kit for refreshing your jukebox. This new operating system has faster processing speeds, more reliable performance, and will allow AMI to add new and more dynamic features in the future. Plus, the new hard drive comes enabled with Music Video On-Demand (MVOD)! This means that your jukebox will now be capable of video playback for AMI’s full library of over 25,000 music video titles. Simply connect your jukebox to a TV using an HDMI cable that connects to the on board HDMI port of the motherboard.

Other questions about your AMI Jukebox in NE, IA, KS or MO – call GAD Vending. We are authorized distributors in the Midwest and happy to help with servicing existing equipment or setting up new.

Golden Tee 2021 Pre-Release Game Locations Available Now!

Golden Tee 2021 Pre-Release Game Locations Available Now! 225 225 GAD Vending

Golden Tee 2021 pre-releases have been sent out to operators! We make it as easy as possible to find a Golden Tee game near you with two options:

Option 1

If you are using an internet browser, navigate to goldentee.com/locations. There you will find locations near you with a 21 on the location a red pin.

Option 2

On your Apple or Android devices, you can use the GT Caddy app. Click on Places on the main screen in the middle right to find games on your device. All 2021 updated machines will have a gray location pin and a generic Golden Tee logo when you click on the location.

Download GT Caddy for Apple & Android devices below!
Apple: Click Here
Android: Click Here

 

Newsmax: The 12 Best Products Made in America

Newsmax: The 12 Best Products Made in America 300 268 GAD Vending

Best Made in America Products According to Newmax:

Many U.S. consumers want to buy products made in their home country to support job creation, fair wages, and more. But you don’t have to buy U.S.-made products just for those reasons: Some of the best products in the world are made here at home.

From Crayola crayons to Jack Daniel’s whiskey — there are dozens of top products made in the U.S., Cheapism.com took a look at some of those…

#11. On the cusp of dying, Stern Pinball helped revive the pinball craze with its games produced in Chicago. Originally founded 40 years ago, the company rebuilt itself to the local empire it is in 1999.