In case you haven’t heard, Nike has placed vending machines that dispense footballs (or soccer balls, in North American-speak) in high-traffic urban spots over in Singapore (cost per ball: CDN$31). We thought that was a nifty idea; after all, you never know when an impromptu game of footie will break out. Which got us thinking: What other far-out merch can you get from a vending machine? We polled trendsetters to find out what has caught their eye from around the globe. Once all got past the fact that Japan has the most bizarre items for sale (used panties?), they came up with the following gems…

Vending machines will evolve to support our growing mobile and portable convenience driven lifestyle and so will offer music downloads, CD comp burning, cellphone charging, etc. There are a couple of standout trials – Coke and Bell Canada, [in collaboration with tech providers cStar Technologies, Kaba Ilco, and RSI International Systems], [have launched a machine] whereby the carrier provides the m-commerce platform for drink purchases. The other is a vending machine containing many different premium beer brands.

Simon Crowther, managing director, Wise Buddha Communications, Vancouver

I’ve seen vending machines to recharge dead cellphone batteries. [The Cogib, by Hanover-based Galea Technologies, is pictured left.] I thought that was pretty cool. I’ve seen wine vending machines and once, I saw a CD vending machine at a gas station.

Max Lenderman, CD, GMR Marketing, Chicago

I love the idea of books being dispensed in bright, shiny machines in France [by retailer Maxi-Livres]. Reading is usually a private experience and it seems appropriate that books might be sold that way, especially books by Camus, especially in France.

Patrick Thoburn, partner, Matchstick, Toronto

And now, for more of the weird…

There’s this little store outside of Kalispell, Montana that actually had fireworks and ammo in a vending machine. Seeing as I was fully stocked up with both I can’t vouch for whether or not it was functional and willing to dispense said items, but damn it looked good.

Kerry Reynolds, VP/executive group CD, MacLaren McCann, Toronto