We should have seen this coming — a new smartphone app could put waiters… and bartenders, and baristas out of a job. It’s called “Pago Mobile” — Pago is the Spanish word for “payment”.
From the application, you can place your order, make changes, and possibly even check on the status of your food. However, the app’s capabilities don’t stop at restaurants and bars. It can also be used in coffee shops, dry cleaners and other similar establishments. From your phone you can order, pay, or just browse the products and services offered. You could order your coffee and pay for it before you even enter the store. Your dry cleaning order could be waiting for you as soon as you walk in the door. You could even have a fully paid drink waiting for you at the bar when you get out of work.
The company that developed the app is currently looking for investors — and, call it a hunch, but I don’t think they’ll have any problem finding them.