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And you need a beer. You may recall that in the July issue of RF Design I had a bit of a fun with an off-the-wall project by a company called 2Scoot Networks. They were offering a wireless option to restaurant clients to provide “the ulitimate in dining convienience,” by using RFID tags and reader to relay diners preferences and payment options — wirelessly — to participating restaurants. I found it a topic worthy of discussion because, first of all, it's eclectic. And it really points out the availability of and advancements in wireless technology. Whether it will fly is academic. But, it is out there.

The 2Scoot project, however, is aimed more at the haves than the have-nots. Why, because it is aimed at those who have sufficient expendable income to get involved in a program that requires eating out - often.

But, in economic time like these, the 2Scoot project likely will have a limited market. Had it come out a couple of years ago, it might have been all the rage in Silicon Valley.

Round two — Now, there is a second take on the concept that 2Scoot developed. But this time, it is closer to home - literally.

This is, with a slight modification for space, the teaser I came across: “It's the bottom of the fifth. The crowd is going nuts! The bases are loaded and the clean-up hitter is about to step up to the plate. Your brain is telling you to cheer, but your stomach is telling you to eat. Crazy stomach doesn't realize the lines at the concession stand won't let you get back to your seat until the next inning - maybe later. Good thing your brain knows about CellBucks. Right at your stadium seat, you can place an order for that delicious hot dog and beer to be delivered seat-side using your cell phone.”

Take me out to the ball game — How it works is pretty ingenious. You simply visit the CellBucks site (www.cellbucks.com) via the Internet, register by providing some basic information and a credit card number, you're instantly given a personal password and, viola, you're in.

Once at a participating stadium, you'll be supplied with a menu. You choose your items, dial the toll-free telephone number printed on the menu, and enter your password and seat location. Your payment status is automatically validation, your credit card is charged and your order is transmitted to the corresponding stadium kitchen. The food is then delivered right to your seat.

Finally, an e-mail detailing the day's transactions is sent to you after the game. And, just in case you forgot to register before the game, you can register while at the ballpark using a toll-free number.

This one might fly better — It's pretty obvious that the 2Scoot project is for the gastronomically astute. I doubt that local mom-and-pop eateries are likely to jump on the 2Scoot bandwagon. I see this more for the “four-dollars sign” menu crowd.

But the “hot dog to your seat at the ball game” concept might be more saleable. Why, because even in bad times, sports roll on. Furthermore, airtime is getting cheaper and the wireless companies are getting more creative (witness Cricket). And, since literally everone has a cell pnone nowadays (been to a game lately?), this just might catch on (as long as it doesn't cost too much).

From the business side — CellBucks says that for stadiums and teams, the costs are minimal. Implementation is quick and nominal; the Internet-based technology means that there are no fancy gadgets or back-end servers needed. The customer already owns the cell phone, so there is no need to buy any front-end technology. Also, because the fans don't need to leave their seats any longer, both stadiums and advertisers gain increased attention and eyeballs — sounds like a winning formula.

From the curmudgeon (as Roger calls me) — Personally, I prefer the term realist. But, moving on, I think this has possibilities. First, it's another reason to own at least one cell phone. Second, it's another opportunity to use airtime (the carriers should love it). Third, it can evolve into a “mobile data” application that can, perhaps, add marketing fuel to XG. Fourth, while I wouldn't pay for the 2Scoot service, I know a lot of sports fans who would love Cellbucks — some of them sports-centric enought to consider paying for it.

But, think of the opportunities — Movies (must be mobile data-centric with silenced keypads, though), airports (imagine, not having to wait in line and deal with the oh-so-motivated servers, and the food can be brought to you right to the gate), concerts, offices (adds a new meaning to ordering pizza) and the epitome…having a venti-sized red-eye espresso macchiato mocha valencia delivered to your car while stuck on the 405 (or any equivalent gridlocked interstate, anywhere)….yea!