Apple Announces Starbucks Partnership

[frankly]

Wow, people who vote negative for added features are SOO lame.

I think people are voting negative based on the way this was presented. Steve said, "Oh, and one more thing. We've been working on this for two year. We have a great new partnership with Starbucks." and then he finishes with this deflated balloon? I don't think it is a bad feature. It is not something that deserved this fanfare and especially NOT the CEO of Starbucks walking on stage to tell us how it would be available in TWO YEARS!!!!

Two frickin' years!?!??!?!?

Frank

 

[MrSmith]

Well, let me put it this way, I take my coffee seriously.

What does that mean exactly? You're some kind of 'coffee snob'?

 

[frankly]

This costs neither Starbucks nor Apple any significant amount of time, money or effort. It's definitely a win for Apple afficiandos who also hang out at Starbucks.

Really??? Who do you think is writing the software and installing the hardware to make this happen? If it didn't cost either of them time, money, or effort then please explain why it won't be fully implemented until 2009, yes 2009.

Frank

 

[frankly]

What does that mean exactly? You're some kind of 'coffee snob'?

Actually, I've been called that. LOL

 

[frankly]

I don't know why other people are upset about this, but I know why I am. Starbucks represents everything that I hate about the growing breed of corporations. In many ways they're the anti-Apple. If Apple's tagline was "Think Different", Starbucks would be "Think Identical".

I hate the fact that not only is Starbucks the same from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even city to city, but everywhere I go in the world they're absolutely identical. If I walk into a Japanese Starbucks, I want to feel like I'm in Japan not some brushed aluminum purgatory I could just as easily find in New York.

But that's not it-- the same could be said for McDonalds and I don't have the same feelings of hatred for them... Starbucks is predatory. They seek out local neighborhood coffeshops, the kind that have culture, set up next door, run at a loss for as long as it takes, and drive out the competition. They aren't successful because of their quality product (their coffee is awful), or their style, they're successful because they're bankrolled better than any local competition can be.

I'll be curious to see if Starbucks gets preferential treatment on the iPhone maps once this kicks in. Will I even be able to find my local cafe by search? What bland, soulless company will Apple dilute their brand with next?

I'm sorry but I think you have Starbucks confused with Walmart. I know a person that owns a local coffee shop and not only did a Starbucks NOT open up shop next to them but they approached Starbucks because they would like to sell to Starbucks. We have both Starbucks and local coffee shops in my town and both are thriving. Starbucks is #16 in the best places to work:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007/snapshots/16.html

Hello, they offer health care to part-time employees, as long as you average 20 hours per week. Please name another company that offers that? They are not perfect but they are also not the devil you and others make them out to be.

Frank

 

[nüb]

starbucks represents all that as wrong with america. such a shame to see apple fall into that market.

 

[nüb]

I hate the fact that not only is Starbucks the same from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even city to city, but everywhere I go in the world they're absolutely identical. If I walk into a Japanese Starbucks, I want to feel like I'm in Japan not some brushed aluminum purgatory I could just as easily find in New York.

I've been in a Japanese Starbucks, and you are correct...there IS no difference in the stores there than here. There was even a hot white chick working the counter. WTF????

 

[achie25]

I took it as that you only have to pay for the songs you want to buy and download at Starbucks. To just check out what song was playing it is free. To surf the net is a different story. Would be nice to see Starbucks offer iPod users the ability to surf free. Would be a smart move on their part to do so. More people would visit thus more $4 coffee being sold.

With the Roll out plan presented it seems to me that it will take 1.5- 2 years for that service to hit Grand Rapids anyway.

 

[twoodcc]

more partnerships can be good.....but i don't think i'll benefit from this one

 

[MikeTheC]

There's now two Starbucks' shops in my area. One is one of those built-into-Barnes & Noble locations, and the other is a free-standing building which is actually on the road between my home and work.

So, *if* I were to pop for a iPod touch, I might be tempted to try this feature out. But I'm a part of the newly-created "great undecided" mass out there. Classic 80? Classic 160? iPod Touch 8? iPod Touch 16? Too many choices! My brain hurts!!!

</gumby>

 

[frankly]

There's now two Starbucks' shops in my area. One is one of those built-into-Barnes & Noble locations, and the other is a free-standing building which is actually on the road between my home and work.

So, *if* I were to pop for a iPod touch, I might be tempted to try this feature out. But I'm a part of the newly-created "great undecided" mass out there. Classic 80? Classic 160? iPod Touch 8? iPod Touch 16? Too many choices! My brain hurts!!!

</gumby>

THe one inside of your Barnes and Noble is not a Starbucks. It is simply a Barnes and Noble coffee shop that brews Starbucks coffee. So you will not see the icon when you are in that store.

Frank

 

[Gen3tix]

I really doubt I'll ever go into a Starbucks and wonder what song is playing so I can download it off iTunes. It would be better if you get some sort of coupon though for a free coffee or something after downloading some songs.

 

[khunsanook]

I don't know why other people are upset about this, but I know why I am. Starbucks represents everything that I hate about the growing breed of corporations. In many ways they're the anti-Apple. If Apple's tagline was "Think Different", Starbucks would be "Think Identical".

I hate the fact that not only is Starbucks the same from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even city to city, but everywhere I go in the world they're absolutely identical. If I walk into a Japanese Starbucks, I want to feel like I'm in Japan not some brushed aluminum purgatory I could just as easily find in New York.

But that's not it-- the same could be said for McDonalds and I don't have the same feelings of hatred for them... Starbucks is predatory. They seek out local neighborhood coffeshops, the kind that have culture, set up next door, run at a loss for as long as it takes, and drive out the competition. They aren't successful because of their quality product (their coffee is awful), or their style, they're successful because they're bankrolled better than any local competition can be.

I'll be curious to see if Starbucks gets preferential treatment on the iPhone maps once this kicks in. Will I even be able to find my local cafe by search? What bland, soulless company will Apple dilute their brand with next?

I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Starbucks has had a big push here lately and quite frankly i think its pretty bunk. However, there's a local shop, Wawee Coffee (the beans come from Northern Thailand's Doi (Mount) Wawee). Wawee is very popular and has fantastic, relatively cheap coffee. Starbucks opened a store directly next door to one of Wawee's bigger shops, but it has made zero dent in Wawee's business. The trendy Thais like to frequent the Starbucks and flaunt their expensive logo cups. But Wawee has become a wildly popular and trendy brand in itself - trendy as in a Northern Thai, local business with Northern Thai style and character.

BTW, wifi at Chiang Mai Starbucks is 150 baht an hour (that's over 4 bucks!). At Wawee it's less than a dollar. Many shops in Chiang Mai have it free. Who the hell would pay 4 bucks an hour for wifi?!? That says a lot about Starbucks IMHO.

To be honest, I'm not so happy about Apple's partnership with Star*ucks. And to bring Mr. Star*ucks on stage - unnecessary!

 

[Canuck4]

What a waste of time.
They're working on this starbucks thing were if someone ends up going into one and likes a song to be able to purchase it. Rediculous.
Please, why not actually put out some applications that people would really use/need. Like Ichat, allow MMS so we dont have to log into that ATT site with a userID and password and go thru hell to retrieve a picture message.
How about a simple on/off button to disable The Edge network when its needed.
What about a few games like every other cellphone has? Or an option to send a text message to more than one recipient.....

 

[KindredMAC]

The thing that bothers me is that this could turn out like the ROCKR partnership that Apple had with MOTO in that Starbucks seems to be taking their sweet@ss time with their roll out plan which is very UNLIKE Apple.

By the sounds and looks of the Big Coffee's roadmap, my area of NY state won't be touched until 2010. I'll just keep going to Panera's across the street and using their free WiFi with my iPhone. Not much of a coffee person anyways.....

I could almost see Starbucks closing the whole thing down before it even finishes up.

 

[powerbook911]

I don't get the point of this. Apple must be getting paid or something.

The tiny fraction of people who will take advantage of this makes it insignificant to me.

 

[nüb]

I really doubt I'll ever go into a Starbucks and wonder what song is playing so I can download it off iTunes. It would be better if you get some sort of coupon though for a free coffee or something after downloading some songs.

...yeah...i agree. I think their coffee AND their music blows!

 

[Canuck4]

No doubt a dumb idea and a wasted icon space on my iphone.
Starbucks music

 

[maestrokev]

I've been in a Japanese Starbucks, and you are correct...there IS no difference in the stores there than here. There was even a hot white chick working the counter. WTF????

There are a lot of travellers who appreciate standardization across countries and cultures. Not everyone who travels wants to do the Lonely Planet thing. After a day or so of culture shock it's nice to retreat into something familiar for a break.

 

[Pikemann Urge]

I don't see how this is getting in the way of anything. It's not ruining iPod functionality or making them more expensive. And you aren't forced to go to a Starbucks. Come on, people, I don't think it's the scandal some of you make it out to be.

I care about my coffee, too, BTW. At least Apple is promoting brewed coffee and not instant!

 

[Orng]

There are a lot of travellers who appreciate standardization across countries and cultures. Not everyone who travels wants to do the Lonely Planet thing. After a day or so of culture shock it's nice to retreat into something familiar for a break.

I'll agree with you here, but only in reference to toilet facilities.

Seriously, when you're in a country that has... unique bathroom cleanliness standards, well, that's about the only time I would go to either McDonalds or Starbucks. Because, in theory, they have to maintain corporate standards. In practise, maybe not so much, but it's worth looking into if you're in need of a sit-down.

By the way, I actually prefer McDs coffee to Starbucks. I'm not saying I like it or would choose it, but if it had to be one or the other, it would be McDs. My first choice is Tim Hortons, thankyouverymuch!

 

[Teddy's]

I read the history of SB (haters would call it propaganda) It seems to be a decent company.
I don't know what's the fuzz about hating everything corporate (Because most of them they are devils? duh!) Most of them Yes!
As little as I can help I always try to buy the "fair trade" coffees. I am not a coffee maniac, I can live without coffee. When I am on the road, I prefer my cheap Tim H because I can buy donuts and other candy.
On a closing note, I remember when the partnership with Nike was announced. The comments were almost similar. All I ask Apple now, is never partner with Abercrombie & Fitch.

 

[shyataroo]

if you were in the range of 4 starbucks simultaniously, you would be in a rare opportunity to slap on a additional 3 wifi antennas, program them to combine their streams and go Explativing nuts with downloading multi-gigabyte files in a few seconds. (of course you would have to hack into t-mibbles encryption)

 

[joepunk]

Using this technology,walk in to a store and your iPod or Phone could display information on specials, walk into a theme park and the device could display the wait times on the various rides or walk into a restaurant and see images of all of the dishes before you order.

That would be a great idea for when your at a Disney theme park and waiting for one ride while you can check the wait time for another clear across the park. Disney now has one billboard per park that display the wait times. Unfortunately they are only located near the main entrance.

Teddy's I read the history of SB (haters would call it propaganda) It seems to be a decent company.
I don't know what's the fuzz about hating everything corporate (Because most of them they are devils? duh!) Most of them Yes!

I believe that some people (including top execs of the company) think that Starbucks has lost track of their founding principles over the last few years. Also, they have stores in parts of the world where people (i.e. men and women) are segregated as according the the religious laws/rules of said countries. That's just one of the many problems that I have with the company.

 

[drake]

I don't know why other people are upset about this, but I know why I am. Starbucks represents everything that I hate about the growing breed of corporations. In many ways they're the anti-Apple. If Apple's tagline was "Think Different", Starbucks would be "Think Identical".

Starbucks and its chairman have a history of supporting Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. They also provide support by way of free coffee to the Americans occupying Iraq. That's why I'm not such a great fan of the idea.