Now we're talking, helping us find & pay for our Starbucks Coffee
Just when you think you've given up faith in the app store and your ability to even discover 1/100 of the apps apparently on sale in Apple's App Store, Starbucks has created two new apps. The first one - titled myStarbucks - enables you to locate the nearest Starbucks, search their amenities i.e. baby change room etc., make your virtual drink, food item and see the story behind the different blends / roasts etc. The second app - Starbucks Card Mobile - is a virtual payment card where you can check your balance, reload it and pay for your coffee using a quick response code.
Now for the sad news, at the moment the apps are only available in the US and I believe only on the West Coast (Seattle & Bay Area) for now with the idea of being rolled out nationally. I think it's a brilliant duo of apps that drives both customers to the nearest stores with simpler and quicker point-of-sale transactions, not to mention 2 hours free wireless internet access (more online eyeballs and incentive to stay in the stores) as well as the possibility to download music, playing in the store, from iTunes. Most importantly, at the end of the day it solves everyones nagging problem "where's my nearest Starbucks?".
Look forward to seeing more apps like this from other companies and stores.
