BizJournals Portfolio
Home >   Business Views, Opinions and Blogs >   Business Blogs >   Tech Observer >  

Would You Like Coffee With That App

Tech Observer

by Eric Engleman
Main
Apple Revamps the iLineup   Jobs: Facebook Rolled Out 'Onerous Terms' for Ping

Recent Blog Posts

Links

Sep 02 2010 7:19am EDT

Would You Like Coffee with that App?

TechFlash reports: Starbucks is adding a new flavor to its mobile payments strategy: BlackBerry. The Seattle-based coffee chain is launching a free BlackBerry app that lets people use the devices to buy coffee in stores via barcode scan. Starbucks introduced the same kind of app for iPhone and iPod touch a year ago.

The BlackBerry app lets people check their Starbucks Card balance, add money to their account with a credit card, and make purchases at Starbucks. At checkout, the app generates a barcode on the BlackBerry screen, which is then swiped over a scanner.

Right now the mobile payment feature only works at a limited number of locations: 16 Starbucks stores in Seattle and Silicon Valley, and about 1,000 Starbucks inside Target stores. But Starbucks "is looking to expand the test," said Chuck Davidson, category manager, innovation for the Starbucks Card unit.

For more on Starbucks' Blackberry app, go to TechFlash.

Eric Engleman writes for TechFlash, the Puget Sound Business Journal's technology blog.

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.


Connect With Portfolio.com
Like Portfolio on Facebook

Come on, like us—you know you want to.

Follow Portfolio on Twitter

Follow us and if you're an innovative entrepreneur, we'll return the favor.

The Mix

Today's top stories, conversation starters, and the back nine business bites.

spotlight on

Slideshows

500 Startups Hits New York

Dave McClure's brainchild makes its way to New York and introduces East Coast money folks to some intriguing new companies. View Slideshow