When the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store at Starbucks launches in New York and Seattle on Tuesday, October 2nd, the coffee giant will be armed with promotions.First of all, they'll distribute 1.5 million "Song of the day" cards across 10,000 locations. Each card will provide a free single from artists like Bob Dylan (Of course - Steve loves Dylan. In fact, Dylan's "Joker Man" will be the first giveaway), Paul McCartney and Dave Matthews via iTunes (US). They'll be valid until the end of 2007.
Also, select Starbucks locations will sell "iTunes Digital Release Cards," which allow customers to download music and bonus materials (like music videos and digital booklets) from artists like KT Tunstall and Eddie Vedder. These must be activated at Starbucks before use in the iTunes Store (US).
Finally, they'll also be selling the "Starbucks Card Plus Two"; a re-chargable coffee card that includes two free downloads from iTunes (US).
If you're unfamiliar with the partnership, the iPhone and iPod Touch will be equipped with software that can "detect" a nearby Starbucks (in participating locations), and allow customers to purchase the song playing over the store's stereo system directly from those devices. Starbucks will provide free wireless access to the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store (and only the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store - meaning you've still got to pay for wireless internet, email, etc.).
New York and Seattle will pilot the program, with more major metropolitan locations being added throughout 2008 and 2009.
In short, they're really going to push this thing. Since the launch date of the joint venture is Oct. 2nd, we probably won't see the Wi-Fi iTunes Music Store on our iPhones or iPod Touches before then. Bummer.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-24-2007 @ 10:27AM
kory said...
...bit I thought it was already on the Touch?
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9-24-2007 @ 10:29AM
Fraser Drew said...
It is, it all ready works on the touch, and is active!! I;ve used it, tis great!
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9-24-2007 @ 10:47AM
Derek said...
This won't make me switch from Panera. Free internet, good sandwiches, and better hot chocolate. All Starbucks has to do is charge a few more cents here and there in their already high coffee prices and they've more than made up for this promo.
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9-24-2007 @ 10:59AM
Hank said...
Of course, there is a hitch. Most of us will have to go home and use the card since Starbucks has their wifi bound up in the asinine T-mobile network instead of following Panera and others' leads in offering free wifi. They'd get more kickback if they'd open the gate.
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9-24-2007 @ 11:08AM
Jon said...
#4: Didn't Steve say free wi-fi for iPhone/iPod users or was that my imagination?
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9-24-2007 @ 11:09AM
shaun said...
you guys dont have the wifi store yet?
We have it in the UK
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9-24-2007 @ 11:45AM
Tucker said...
The post is correct - the *Starbucks* wifi store isn't live yet. The wifi store is live in the U.S., just not the whole Starbucks deal, which is what the post is talking about.
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9-24-2007 @ 11:59AM
DrunkDwarf said...
DrunkDwarf says: Starbucks needs to sell Irish Coffee!
But he'll still be heading to one of the 15 shops with in a block's walk in Seattle to get the goods on October 2. It is hoped re-fills on the stored value card come with more itunes tracks. The previous stored value program was useless since he didn't drink their coffee (so no free coffee on card re-fills).
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9-24-2007 @ 12:57PM
Bob said...
Anyone have experience using promotions/Gift Cards with the Wi Fi iTunes store? Do they show up on your iPod Touch or only in the full version on your Computer?
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9-24-2007 @ 1:55PM
imnotsayin said...
Did i miss something? Wifi Music store doesn't work on iPhones until the next software update, right?
Any rumors on that update? There's been nary a murmer about it on the boards lately. I can't be the only one wondering.
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9-24-2007 @ 3:16PM
Harbinger said...
Anybody else catch the iTunes contextual menu option that pops up when you connect an iPhone?
"Transfer Purchases"
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9-24-2007 @ 3:25PM
AliceKK said...
Yay i live in seattle. I actually live right by the only Starbucks Music store here, which is great. Its an awesome store with tons of cds and such.
I'll be going a bit more now ... :) not that i need to.
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9-30-2007 @ 4:20AM
jz said...
Actaully the connection to T-Mobile will be free to use for Itunes, apple.com, starbucks.com, and starbucksentertainment.com.
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10-02-2007 @ 9:04PM
Khabi35 said...
If any one is interested I received 2 of the Bob Dyan cards today.
1.) KLXTK9E99TJK
2.) J7JMHY99J637
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10-08-2007 @ 2:08PM
blogcomments said...
FYI, there's another Free Song of the Day mp3 music download available -- without any Starbucks/iTunes card or code. And the music in this download is completely DRM-Free.
Details:
Free Song of the Day Download - No Code Required
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10-11-2007 @ 3:31PM
Niktuh said...
I would like to mention some blatant age discrimination that is occurring at Starbucks. I go in each day for my coffee and my "song of the day". Most of the time there is someone ahead of me in line. I have definitely noticed that if you look like you are in your late teens or twenties, the staff at Starbucks will hand you an itunes card and say something like "have a song of the day." Now when I walk up (or anyone else that looks a little older), no itunes card is offered and you have to ask for your card to get one. I am enjoying this promotion and the songs are not especially appealing to younger people. But I enjoy them very much. I have to drive out of my way to go to Starbucks, so I only will as long as the itunes cards are being doled out. I would definitely have a more positive opinion of Starbucks if they were equally free with the itunes cards across all age groups.
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