iPad-inspired vending machine woos Hill staffers

Technology has changed how we communicate, watch television and travel the globe. This morning, Capitol Hill staffers got to enjoy how technology has upgraded their Snickers bar experience.

The National Automatic Merchandising Association introduced a "digi-touch" vending machine for congressional officials in the Cannon Caucus Room this morning.
 
The digi-touch looks and acts like the Apple iPad, and while the touch-screen vending technology debuted several months ago it has yet to make its way into businesses across the county.
 
After making an initial selection on the giant screen, users can read the nutritional information of the selected goodies before making their purchase. (And perhaps feel guilty enough to choose something more nutritious than a candy bar.)
 
Final selections twirl around on the screen before dropping down to the bottom like a normal vending machine. Does this guarantee that your snack of choice won’t get stuck in the machine? Not exactly, but hey, it’s an upgrade.
 
A NAMA spokesman told us that the company that makes the digi-touch would be thrilled if the machines were installed on Capitol Hill. In the meantime, they’re content just to give lawmakers and staffers a chance to interact with the next wave of snacking technology.