Would you like a tablet with that?

McDonald's are introducing a new app where customers can pre-order food before heading to an outlet. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: News Limited

MCDONALD'S has chosen WA to test drive a new My Maccas app for smartphones and tablets before rolling it out nationwide next year.

The app, which is now available for download, lets users order their meal before visiting a restaurant.

The takeaway giant's foray into smartphone technology follows a trend of more restaurants using the swipe of a screen to enhance their offerings.

People can order pizza from Domino's, Pizza Hut, or Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar through their individual apps, or source takeaway meals from nearby restaurants through Delivery Hero and Eat Now.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle said the apps were evidence technology was changing the way we eat.

"It's really adding to that unplanned approach that we take these days,'' he said.

Delivery Hero chief executive CJ Foo said Australia had one of the highest rates of smartphone penetration in the world.

"Fifty-one per cent of Australians use their phone to research restaurants and this trend impacts the way they order takeaway,'' he said.

McDonald's is offering a 50 per cent discount to all WA app users on December 6.

Curtin University researcher and public health expert Mike Daube criticised the new app as "irresponsible''.