Several readers are reporting that they've gotten SMS messages from AT&T reminding them of the long-awaited "free wireless at Starbucks" plan. First announced in February with a target launch of 'spring 2008,' the service has been quietly running on and off since April, including two hours of daily access at any Starbucks store or AT&T hotspot. T-Mobile users who have existing hotspot accounts are supposed to have ongoing access to the network in Starbucks stores.

Although the service has been available on a spotty basis, an official "yes it's working" announcement has been long in coming. Have you gotten a reminder from AT&T? Is WiFi working at your local Starbucks? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in

Colony is a new free application that showed up on the iPhone App Store just recently, but it won't do much of anything if you download it -- unless you're hooked up to the WiFi at the Life.Lab building in Digital Harbour in Melbourne, Australia. The app is actually part of an art installation by an artist named Troy Innocent, and was developed by Stewart Haines specifically to control the setup there in Melbourne.

It's a very interesting project -- while it doesn't mean much to anyone not in Digital Harbour, the idea of bringing the iPhone into a location-specific setup is intriguing. Haines has a nice page on his site that details the process of creating the app, and you get to not only see the thought behind the process, but some of the concepts and tech behind the app as well. Very cool.

There are lots of location-specific applications that have yet to be explored on the iPhone, most of them commercial (putting your order in while waiting in line at Starbucks, for instance). But Colony looks like a really thoughtful take on the idea -- I would say that it's too bad you have to go all the way to Australia to use it, but then again that's kind of the point.

It was only a couple months ago that Starbucks announced that AT&T would take over hotspot services from T-Mobile. Now the WiFi hotspots are rolling out to some of the Starbucks stores. David Chartier, of previous TUAW and now ArsTechnica fame, recently posted an article on his personal blog about the portal and what it offers. He also took the picture that you can see above.

According to David, AT&T is giving WiFi users 2 free hours of access per day. But AT&T didn't stop there -- they designed an iPhone-specific portal to sign onto the service. A local Starbucks manager told David that all 7,000+ Starbucks stores in the US should be "finished by summer."

I should note that this iPhone portal isn't specific to Starbucks -- every AT&T WiFi hotspot features the same interface -- and all devices are eligible for the 2 free hours of access (not just iPhones and iPod touches). Any WiFi device should be able to logon to the service. It is nice to see AT&T finally giving connectivity away for free.

[via 1FPS]

Apple and Starbucks are at it again, this time with a new Pick of the Week iTunes offer. Basically each week Starbucks will distribute cards good for a free download of a hand-picked song from the iTunes Store. Starting this week the first such song is the Counting Crows' "Washington Square."

It's not entirely clear what you have to do to get a card, but presumably it involves a purchase. A new card will be available each Tuesday. Once you get a card you have 60 days to redeem it.

[via iLounge]

Wanting to get the scoop on the new coffee generation, I put in a call to my secret barista, Ms. Coffee. "Quick, tell the dish about the nationwide Starbucks retraining this afternoon!" "Wish I could -- got nothing to tell. All the stores close at 5:30 pm local time, no matter where they are. We have no idea what the training involves." So I extracted a promise: any mention of AT&T, the iPhone, EDGE networks or WiFi and she is to dash to the bathroom on a "weak bladder" excuse and call.

For those of you who are completely caffeine deprived, Dunkin' Donuts will "ensure that no coffee lover is denied a delicious espresso-based beverage," offering lattes, cappucinos and espressos for $0.99 between 1pm and 10pm today.

So what do you think, TUAW readers? Is this the big AT&T intro we've been waiting for?

Thanks Nick

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple and Starbucks are being sued because of their recent iTunes promotion cards. James and Marguerite Driessen claim to hold a patent on, what they call "RPOS" (or retail point of sale for online merchandising). The patent in question allows customers to buy a gift card from brick-and-mortar stores and then go home and redeem the card online. However, Apple has an excuse, because while the Driessens' patent was under review, Apple developed their own similar concept for redeeming the iTunes gift cards.

Apple's gift cards allow a person to enter a code on the iTunes Store and receive a whole artist's album, along with the artwork. However, due to legal pressure from the Driessens, Apple apparently pulled the iTunes gift cards from the stores, but left them in UK Stores.

Now, here's where this may get a little sticky. I've been wondering why this is only affecting the Apple iTunes cards. Why aren't other gift card manufacturing companies getting hit with this suit? This patent application seems to describe pretty much every gift card that I have seen; such as those credit-card-gift-cards that you can buy at most malls -- you can also use those online as a credit card. And not to mention those Zune music cards! What do you think? Should Apple be forced to remove their cards that provide convenience to customers, or should they fight back? Be sure to sound off in the comments below!


[via AppleInsider]

Anthropophobic* iPhone users have something to look forward to. You may remember that Apple filed a patent for an iPhone-based payment system back in December. The system would not only allow payment without interaction, but could be used as a full ordering and fulfillment notification system. But even before the patent was publicized, Phil Lu was already figuring out how to minimize any human contact with a system concept called QuickOrder.

Phil's proposal is designed around Starbucks purchasing, and it would allow ordering and payment from your iPhone. QuickOrder uses Semacode barcode technology to link iPhones to coffee orders; as he told Gizmodo, this would allow payment using your iTunes account and bypass the credit card transaction entirely. You could order from afar, pay with a finger swipe and -- if it's anything like the Starbucks I'm used to -- pick up your coffee without saying a word. For those not inclined towards being near other living beings, you're in and out with your coffee fix and nary a "hello." I feel palpable levels of anticipation emanating from hermitic sects of iPhone users everywhere.

And yes, despite a certain amount of sarcasm, I do think it's a very cool idea, even though I actually enjoy my daily chats with baristas. And I do love the mockups Phil created.

Good news, iPhone lovers. Starbucks is dumping T-Mobile and serving you up a fresh heaping venti of Wi-Fi goodness. And what's the crema on that espresso? Why, it's this: "AT&T will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers". The press release says spring 2008 -- still a little ways away, but soon "millions of AT&T and Starbucks customers will get Internet access free from the comfort of their neighborhood Starbucks."

I'll drink to that. In a short, no-fat, green-tea hold the syrup way. Meanwhile, T-Mobile Hotspot customers will still be able to use Starbucks' WiFi, thanks to an agreement between the two providers.

Update: Several commenters have asked for clarification on the 'free' part of the arrangment between Big Blue and Big Coffee. Here's the relevant section of the press release: "Beginning this spring, Starbucks Card holders can enjoy up to two hours of free Wi-Fi service per day at Starbucks locations offering Wi-Fi access, while more than 12 million qualifying AT&T broadband and AT&T U-verseSM Internet customers will have unlimited free access to the Wi-Fi service. In addition, more than 5 million of AT&T's remote access services business customers will be able to access Wi-Fi service at Starbucks locations. AT&T will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers." The likely scenario is 2 hours of free online time per visit for Starbucks Card holders, but we don't know yet what it means for iPhone owners (the "wireless customers" of the last sentence).

Thanks Christopher Li

I'd just like to say that I called it. Way back earlier this year when Apple first announced that you'd be able to use your iPhone to buy iTunes songs at Starbucks, I commented that this was only the beginning, and now Forbes publishes news about a patent that confirms exactly that: Apple is working on other ways to sell downloads (and even merchandise) on the spot to iPhone users.

Imagine being at the movie theater, really liking the film's soundtrack, and having the ability to buy it on your iPhone with a click. Or ordering your latte from your seat at the internet cafe. Or hitting a button to buy something with your credit card at an electronics store, and then having it waiting at the entrance when you leave.

All of these things are possible, providing that a) companies are willing to install the infrastructure in the store, and b) Apple is willing to create the software for the iPhone. Given the prices involved, it'll obviously only start with large chains-- you won't be able to walk into your neighborhood grocery store and do it right away. But there is money to be made here, and if Apple can find common ground with retailers we'll see the Starbucks deal happen in more places for sure.

[Via Macrumors.com]

Today is October 2nd, the official launch of the Wi-Fi iTunes Store for Starbucks in Seattle and New York City. The folks at Gear Live live in Seattle, and were among the first to try the new service.

It seems to work well. Upon launching iTunes on a laptop, they were automatically connected with full access to the iTunes Store (Plus some additional Starbucks content). A prominent "currently playing track" banner is updated dynamically, and the ten most recently played tracks are a click away.

They had similar luck with an iPhone. The Starbucks logo was in place in the Wi-Fi iTunes store, and clicking it displayed the same content as the laptop version.

If you're in Seattle or New York, please share your experiences. The rest of us can only wait.

[Via MacDailyNews]

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.

PC Magazine has given the iPod Touch a 5/5 score and their Editor's Choice award. High praise even from a definitely non-Apple source. Tom Gideon calls it "a thing of beauty," and says it's the best iPod ever. Well, no duh.

He does say a major drawback is that the WiFi store doesn't contain movies, but that's just a matter of time, isn't it? Otherwise, he says the store works great, and will allow for plenty of spur-of-the-moment music purchasing (which surely Apple will love). Gideon even spends quite a bit of time on what I really think is one of the most important features of the iPod Touch-- the Starbucks integration. Every time you pass a Starbucks, an icon shows up in the dock of the iPod Touch's iTunes WiFi screen, and that is huge. Advertisers with even a little bit of forward-looking ability are probably fainting at the thought of what they can do with what.

Strangely enough, Gideon doesn't mention the one problem I have with an iPod Touch, and the reason I'm sticking with my video iPod: the memory. 8 and 16gb are just embarrassing for a serious music player, whether the interface is amazing or not. For Gideon and other folks with only 16gb of music, obviously it's not a problem. But for us music lovers, who want to carry around our entire collection in our pockets, the current Touch doesn't cut it. Better to stick with a classic and leave the awesome interface for the iPhone.

The most surprising announcement to come out of this afternoon's press conference was Apple's partnership with Starbucks. The new iPods and WiFi iTunes store were always possibilities. The Starbucks deal was unexpected.

My initial reaction was amusement: Well, that's a silly thing! But now I get it. They've turned something that costs Starbucks money into an opportunity for profit.

Consider music videos. Five years ago, there were pricey ads that consumers got for free and generated no income. Yes, you may argue that they influence the sale of albums and concert tickets, but in and of themselves, music videos weren't making money.

Now Apple sells videos in the iTunes store. People pay to watch the advertisements.

Retail chains pay a fee for the music they pipe into their stores. Just like the music videos, Apple has created a profit opportunity for Starbucks (and themselves, of course).

Still think it's silly? Imagine when ten retailers are on board. Or twenty. Or television networks. Grey's Anatomy ends with a description of the week's featured pop tune. Why not grab it then and there?

When this catches on, it will be big.

Apple is heading out on a store-opening spree in the next few days (hopefully populated with brand new iPods). If you're in Louisville, San Jose, or Boston, here's three new places you can hang out with Geniuses and play with the iPhone.

• As Dave noted yesterday, the store at Oxmoor in Louisville, KY has a grand opening scheduled on Thursday at 6pm.
• Los Gatos, CA, just south of San Jose, is cutting the ribbon at that same time.
• And the store at the Natick Collection in Natick, MA (which our readers have actually voiced a need for-- Apple is listening!) opens Friday morning at 10 am.

Remember that dude who's going around to visit every Starbucks? I'd bet visiting every Apple Store would be a much more fun (albeit more expensive) trip. How come no one's done that yet?

Thanks to everyone who sent these in!

Building on the success of its iTunes-based "Hear Music" page, Starbucks has decided to launch its own record label. Hear Music will sign its own artists, and sell its recordings through Starbucks stores and iTunes. According to the AP, Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment, says the company has focused on the success of its iTunes page.

One can only presume that in addition to the standard RIAA/Simon Cowell approach[1] to signing musicians, Starbucks will also provide a small percentage of highly-decaffeinated Fair Trade Certified™ recordings, where lucky musicians will receive equitable royalties if ordered in Grande or Venti sizes. Because "Medium" and "Large" talents do not exist at Starbucks.

[1] You have potential but frankly I was bored.[2]

[2] I really felt your performance. You made it your own.[3]

[3] Dawg. Dawg. Dawg.