I have also been to Japan a number of times and actually checked the company's post. The drinks which the robot makes, are pretty much the same ones you can buy in a can at the 7-eleven or Lawson on the street. If in a bar and you want a fast-lane to those types of drinks it could work quite well. More complicated drinks and human interaction, they can still keep. They should have that here for the folk who just need a rum and coke or vodka and soda and want to head back to whatever they are doing.

Wouldn't rooted folk just get the APK and load that way. I know less convenient then App Store but...... Or just not update at all?

No Wal-Mart hasn't unionised because Wal-Mart would not stand for it. They will close a store rather than have it unionise. Look at the Wal-Mart in Quebec example as a reference. Yeah it went court and they may have to pay a small 'fine', but it wont be as large as potential union related expenses over the long term. Tesla, could threaten that as well technically. Cost of moving would have to outweigh the long term additional unionisation expenses.

Yes Sony DRM and memory sticks suck, but come on guys, at least let the bloody thing come out first. Are so many people worried that this might actually turn out to be a good product like the PS2, and that they spent their gaming budget too early on the 360? As I remember when 360 came out, I (well my ex, merry Xmas, I still have it ha ha) didn't pay much more for the device when you think of what you needed (I still aint buying that f'in remote). I say let it come out, and we'll see if it does well. If not, then start bashing.... Also I don't mind it being a home entertainment box. As long as it plays OGG ;)