ifoAppleStore has detailed the upcoming portable checkout units that will be used by Apple retail store employees in the near future. The new "EasyPay touch" devices will make use of custom software running on an iPod touch which will be attached to piece of hardware with a magnetic stripe reader and advanced barcode scanner.
The new touch devices will allow Apple retail employees to make purchase using debit/credit cards and cash and also process refunds. Transactions requiring more than one debit/credit card, travellers cheques or processing refunds for cash will still need to be made via a dedicated POS.
Customers can still receive printed receipts if they wish or it can be emailed, returns will be processed by scanning the barcode on receipts.
EasyPay touch devices will also smooth the process of iPhone purchases, easily capturing all four barcodes situated on iPhone boxes. AT&T tariffs and discounts can all be dealt with through the new system.