Definition: kiosk

A small, self-standing structure such as a newsstand or ticket booth. The original kiosk had room inside for a person who handled the transactions; however, the term evolved to refer to unattended self-service booths with computers that dispense information or make sales via a touchscreen.

Other than simple soda or candy machines, almost any modern vending machine that accepts credit cards can be called a kiosk. For example, digital photo kiosks are today's counterpart to the earlier, manned kiosks for analog film developing. Accepting memory card or CD/DVD input, they allow users to select images and perform limited editing. The units can make prints on the spot as well as burn them onto a CD. See self-service application and touchscreen.

The Photo Kiosk

Photo kiosks with touchscreens have popped up in shopping malls and venues worldwide.

Tablet Kiosks

The flexibility of a tablet makes them ideal for kiosk use. Armodilo Display Solutions makes a variety of desktop and free-standing housings that securely hold Apple, Android, Windows and BlackBerry tablets.

Self Service

Any stand-alone self-service unit can be called a kiosk, such as this parking ticket dispenser in Philadelphia, which accepts cash and credit cards.