New York Times: Sales clerks still ask customers, "May I help you?" on the floors of many department stores, but some shoppers may soon choose to be served instead by a computer kiosk with clever software.
The new kiosks aren't the stodgy kind that have long dispensed boarding passes, train tickets and family snapshots. Instead, they have sleek lines and large touch screens — as well as software that, depending on the application, can recognize customers, know what they've bought in the past, point out bargains and even let them try out virtual clothing, hair colors and cosmetics onscreen.
Many of these kiosks will serve as automated checkout counters, but will offer much more personalized information than those now in use. Others, like those for cosmetics departments, will let customers create the looks they want.
