iPhone Tiger

We all know that Apple replaced its Windows CE based Point of Sale (POS) machines with its proprietary iPod Touch POS add on. ifoAppleStore is reporting that Apple retail executives have asked the retail store business specialists to collect contact information of those who inquire about the iPod touch POS system. This move indicates that Apple might be creating a database of potential customers to test the market size if Apple decides to commercialize the product.

Now that Jack Dorsey’s new mobile POS startup is touted to become a huge venture, this rumor gets very interesting. Apple might not want to spread itself too thin by getting into a new vertical. However, the way Apple has positioned iPod Touch from “the best iPod ever” to “the portable gaming/computing device” over time indicates that it would be extremely profitable to bring into market a portable POS. The POS would be another feather in iPod Touch/ iPhone’s cap and at the same time, one more very compelling feature to lure new customers Apple’s way. Just like the iPhone appstore, Apple could mint money by selling the iPhone or iPod Touch, the POS add on and taking a cut off the POS transaction as well. Its a Win-Win-Win situation, but might not happen in the very near future.