Starbucks launches iPhone app: use your phone to buy coffee

by Gareth Jones, revolutionmagazine.com 23-Sep-09, 11:00

LONDON - Starbucks has launched an iPhone app that allows you to pay for your grande mochaccino and skinny blueberry muffin by scanning your phone at the till.

The app gives coffee drinkers access to a virtual Starbucks Card displaying a barcode that baristas in selected Silicon Valley and Seattle stores can scan at the point of purchase.

The mobile payment app also enables users to check the balance of their Starbucks Card, reload it with a major credit card and view their transaction history.

The iPhone app will initially only be available in the two US test markets, but if it proves popular Starbucks will look to roll it out internationally.

Starbucks, which also provides coffee drinkers with Wi-Fi access, is increasingly keen to engage users via mobile. It has also launched myStarbucks, an iPhone app that allows users to locate stores, concoct drinks and access nutritional information on its products.

Comments

Mark Palmer - 23/09/2009

When mobile was first talked about as a media the example was buying a coffee at Starbucks. However, having read this the basic logic and opportunity in functionality is missed. Waving your mobike over a scanner is little different to paying in cash or via a card at the till. The missing opportunity is to pre-order and then just walk in and collect ....rather than waiting the eternity between ordering a skinny double shot latte and thend actually getting it. Now that woulkd drive business.