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Starbucks now accepting payments through iPhone app

by Steven Sande Jan 19th 2011 at 1:00PM

The world's largest purveyor of coffee with that just-burnt taste, Starbucks, is now accepting payments at company-owned outlets throughout the United States with their free Starbucks Card Mobile iPhone app.

We've covered the green lady's apps before, and it was about eight months ago that the company expanded a small pilot program in Seattle and Silicon Valley to all of their caffeine-dispensing outlets in US Target stores. Now you can pay for your Venti Double-Shot Caramel Macchiato by simply waving your iPhone -- loaded with the Starbucks app -- at that emo teenage barista who is trying very hard to look intellectual and off-put.

The payment system doesn't use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to send your bank account numbers to Starbucks headquarters. Instead, the app is linked to your Starbucks Card account, and you use it to display a barcode that is unique to your account. Point that at the scanner in your Starbucks, and your digital wallet becomes magically lighter.

Starbucks Cards, whether digital or physical, are no small hill of Arabica coffee beans -- the company reported that $1.5 billion in jittery transactions were made in 2010 alone. Apple and Starbucks have had a long, happy relationship, with Starbucks offering a free iTunes "Pick of the Week" in 2008 and Phil Schiller showing off an early prototype of the Starbucks Card Mobile app on stage at an Apple event.

A short, musical video touting the Starbucks digital payment option is on the next page. Now excuse me, I need to get a fresh cup of joe from my Keurig.



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The world's largest purveyor of coffee with that just-burnt taste, Starbucks, is now accepting payments at company-owned outlets throughout...
 

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20 Comments

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Erik

Between this and the Starbucks card which offers rewards, I wonder if Baristas are noticing less tip money now that everyone isn't using cash.

January 21 2011 at 6:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Erik's comment
Brian

I think this is probably, and unfortunately, true.

January 26 2011 at 2:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
WhiteGlossy

This is incredibly exciting. I'll sometimes go to that one Target in town just to use it. Let the Nerds rejoice!!! (that includes us) - http://wp.me/p106i6-2ab

January 21 2011 at 4:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
andrewmundy

Not sure which is worse. The amount of bad, unoriginal, tasteless humor or the the ratio of which and actual information in this article. Grow up.

January 20 2011 at 2:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lenbanks1964

Cool feature. Used it today and loved it. As to this article though. Very snarky and unappreciated. Tried too hard to be funny and just came off jlike a bully Your commentary wasn't appreciated by this apple/starbucks fanboy. Also Tassimo is better than keurig. IMHO.

January 19 2011 at 9:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
river

"just-burnt taste"? Stick to reporting on things you know, like apple-related products, and steer clear of commenting on coffee. Something you don't quite get. *cough* keurig *cough*

January 19 2011 at 8:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

The source article is from April 2010--eight months ago.

January 19 2011 at 6:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
knowhare

acerbic - you guys are funnier than a Golden Globe show

January 19 2011 at 4:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jules Galagarza

"...excuse me, I need to get a fresh cup of joe from my Keurig."

Starbucks is not available in a K-Cup. ;-)

January 19 2011 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

I've been using this app for awhile now to pay, reload, etc. My wife uses the tangible card, while I use the virtual, and we get our free drink cards in the mail a lot faster this way.

Although, I cringe every time I hand the iPhone through the drive through window. It's only a matter of time before Starbucks starts receiving complaints about baristas dropping their precious.

January 19 2011 at 3:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Uncle Bernie

You are an idiot.
Keurig is for trailer parks.

January 19 2011 at 2:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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