Filed under: iTS, iTunes, Apple
Starbucks Entertainment now in iTunes Store
We interrupt your late day latte to bring you the news that Starbucks and Apple have brewed a deal that brings the soothing sounds of the Starbucks Hear Music catalog direct to your desktop and/or iPod via iTunes. They're serious too... there's an entire Starbucks Entertainment area within the iTunes Store now. Starbucks knows prime real estate when they see it! I just checked it out [iTS link] and it's off to a good start. You'll find most of the collections and releases that you'd typically find in CD form next to the cash register at Starbucks, along with a handful of suggested playlists, including several "Artist's Choice" collections (Mick Jagger digs Sade.. who knew?). There will also be exclusive content that even XM Radio subscribers like me probably won't get on the Hear Music channel.
Any time there's a convergence of two of my favorite things from two of my favorite companies, I wish it well.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
matthew said 5:12PM on 10-05-2006
Watch for iTMS kiosks in Starbucks locations WW, and I won't be at all surprised if Apple begins selling select iPods and accessories in Starbucks locations as well.
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narco said 5:20PM on 10-05-2006
I think the music Starbucks sells is probably harder to digest than their muffins. It's pretty much what I'd expect Starbucks to sell.
As for iTS kiosks at Starbucks, I can't see how that's possible now. If you buy songs from the kiosks, how would you transfer it to the iPod? Maybe this will be possible with a software update, but it doesn't seem like it's worth it.
Fishes,
narco.
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Reyner said 5:41PM on 10-05-2006
Does anyone else see a Apple-Google-Starbucks merger?
(kidding)
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Jim Cramer said 5:54PM on 10-05-2006
"Does anyone else see a Apple-Google-Starbucks merger?"
if that happened id be the happiest person in the world...and rich
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matthew said 6:40PM on 10-05-2006
> If you buy songs from the kiosks, how would you transfer it to the iPod
Kidding, right? A universal dock built into the kiosk. Transfer of one track would take mere seconds. A whole album still less time than it takes to make a coffee drink.
Think of it this way: Starbucks could offer promotions like a free Hear Music track with the purchase of a coffee drink. Studios could promote certain movies or TV shows through the nearly 11,000 Starbucks locations WW. Artists and labels could do the same.
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hello kitty said 7:21PM on 10-05-2006
Apple is RIPE to team up with 4-5 other music brands.
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kman said 10:21PM on 10-05-2006
Those who think Starbucks brew good espresso (or coffee) don't know good coffee. Pete's rules!!!!
By the way, this is interesting because SBUX music was one of those models that was predicted to be a challenge to the itunes model.
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Mark Howson said 2:06AM on 10-06-2006
Meanwhile, the Apple store is down for updates in the UK
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Ash said 7:18AM on 10-06-2006
There's been a press release on this over at hearmusic.com
All good fun but quite a few sections of the Starbucks Entertainment area is not (yet?) available for us in the UK.
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