Starbucks has released an app where you will be able to pay for the company's products with selected handheld devices. That's right. Your overpriced cell phone, connected to the Internet thanks to an overpriced data plan, will be able to pay Starbucks for its overpriced coffee.
Starbucks has been testing payments via smartphone at stores in Seattle, New York, parts of California and in the Starbucks stores found in Targets. The New York Times says the company announces that the program is going nationwide, covering more than 7,500 stores.
This program uses an app that can be downloaded by BlackBerry, Iphone or IPod Touch users. It turns out there also is an Android app that will let you pay at a Starbucks. It's not an official app, but rather a widget created by a third-party developer. It's free, and requires at least Android 1.6.
You will need a Starbucks account and a physical Starbucks card. Enter the number found on the back of the card into your phone.
Once that's done, you can load your Starbucks card with cash from a credit or debit card, and the amount will show up on the phone. When you're ready to pay, tap a button and the phone displays a barcode that the barista will scan.
The app also can show you nearby Starbucks stores that are participating in the program. In Houston, that includes the two across the street from each other at West Gray and Shepherd.
Starbucks is now one of the largest companies that lets people pay for their products with a phone. Expect to see a lot more of this in the near future.
