These machines re well know for selling all types of things, and also reliability. Some of them also come with Wi-fi.
This article says that smartphone users will be able to get points if they buy drinks from vending machines. This is a new one, but Japanese customers seem to be crazy for points that can later be used for buying stuff. So I guess this might work.
Any other cool features that you know of?
Japanese people are used to that and they take it for granted, but it is quite unusual for people from outside to see heated cans sold in vending machines. I haven't seen it anywhere outside Japan. I can only speak for European countries, but I still think it is quite original. We are used to cold drinks, but not hot. It also made me think that I have never seen canned coffee outside of Japan either. So yeah, these vending machines are quite unique!