A vending machine for electronics?

In a recent article from USA Today, they reported that Sony is implementing vending machines for electronics in venues such as airports first as a trial, then potentially in grocery stores, malls, and hotels. The article mentions that credit and debit cards will be used to purchase items such as headphones, digital cameras, batteries, MP3 players, and memory sticks.

There is nothing on Sony's Web site about this but I can't help but question their strategy for this distribution method and wonder about their research to back this idea. It seems to me that a vending method of distribution is effective for commodity products where you know what you'll be getting. Certainly some consumer electronics have reached that point including some of the items mentioned in the article (headphones, batteries, and memory sticks).

Many other consumer electronics though such as digital cameras, MP3 players, and video cameras, etc. rely heavily on the user experience. My sense is that most people won't pay much for a product like this that they can't hold, simulate it's use, or get some measure of its quality. Sony may think that it's brand speaks for itself or their research may indicate that people will pay for it as long as it's convenient and from a respected brand. This certainly is an interesting concept.