Carat China releases Magic Box bringing consumers unique interactive mobile experiences

Carat China has released the industry’s first vending machine that combines social communities and microtransactions (payment) via mobile – Magic Box, which brings consumers unique interactive mobile experiences.

Magic Box 1.0 was launched at SXSW – a world-class film, interactive, and music festival that takes place every year in Austin, Texas, United States earlier this month. Created by Carat China, Magic Box 1.0 is the first vending machine in the world that connects social communities with purchases, allowing fulfilment to take place across cities. In addition to purchasing a product with Weixin (WeChat) payment modes, a consumer can use the Magic Box to purchase a gift in city A for a friend to retrieve at any Magic Box in city B. The friend is notified via an @ on the Weixin (WeChat) social platform and uses the mobile phone as a remote control to activate the selections on the screens. Magic Box 1.0 is also the first vending machine made of glass with screens on all three sides of the machine.

In partnership with Carat China, Weixin (WeChat), will leverage its mobile social capabilities to enable consumers to enjoy products more conveniently via Magic Box across Chinese markets, with expectations to expand to markets outside China in the future.

“We are proud to launch Magic Box. It is not merely a vending machine but a box filled with “magic” that connects consumers, their purchase and their social communities wherever they are. We are looking forward to delivering more mobile and social innovations to consumers in the future.” said Stella Jamie Lui, General Manager, Digital of Carat China.

“The creation of Magic Box is a testimony of Carat’s unremitting efforts on developing integrated mobile solutions, which not only demonstrates our firm belief in redefining media and shaping the future but also creates the greatest mobile social experience for the consumers.” Adil Zaim, CEO of Carat China adde.