Internet-enabled apparatus, system and methods for physically and virtually rendering three-dimensional objects

An apparatus for rendering a three-dimensional item, comprising:

• a vending machine comprising an automatic retailing apparatus, the vending machine including a housing, the housing including a manufacturing area, a material storage area, a computer, a user interface, data storage, and wireless data network communications, wherein the housing further includes:
• a three-dimensional manufacturing system contained in the manufacturing area for automatically manufacturing a three-dimensional item based on a data file received from a remote client over the wireless data network communications and stored in and retrievable from the data storage, the data file is indicative of the three-dimensional item;
• 3-D (three-dimensional) printing materials stored in the material storage area wherein the 3-D printing materials are accessible by the three-dimensional manufacturing system for use by the three-dimensional manufacturing system in manufacturing the three-dimensional item in the manufacturing area, and wherein the materials are automatically supplied to the three-dimensional manufacturing system from the material storage area by the three-dimensional manufacturing system;
• and
• a dispensing area for dispensing the three-dimensional item after the three-dimensional item is manufactured in the manufacturing area, wherein the three-dimensional item is dispensed in the dispensing area;
• and
• wherein the vending machine is locatable by a wireless device via a GPS position of the vending machine as ascertained by the wireless data network communications.