Starbucks Card Mobile App Payment Trial Expanded

[MacRumors]

Starbucks announced today that its Starbucks Card Mobile app now allows users to make payments through the app in more than 1,000 locations in Target stores throughout the U.S.

At its initial release in September, the app's payment system worked only in 16 stores in the Seattle and Silicon Valley areas.

To accompany the expanded payment trial locations, users have options to find eligible Starbucks stores using the iPhone's location awareness to search nearby, by zip code, or by a specific address.

The previous functionality to register Starbucks Cards, check balances, reload and more remains.

The Starbucks Card Mobile app is free [App Store].

Article Link: Starbucks Card Mobile App Payment Trial Expanded

 

[Rojo]

Well I'm happy to hear the payment trial's expanding!!

Unfortunately there are no Target stores in Manhattan where I live. There are, however, something like 2,385,417 Starbucks locations here. I'm REALLY hoping the payment trial expands to a few stores in the city! I would love to get rid of my physical cards in my wallet. Can't wait until the day I can pay everything with my iPhone!

 

[Caliber26]

Well I'm happy to hear the payment trial's expanding!!

Unfortunately there are no Target stores in Manhattan where I live. There are, however, something like 2,385,417 Starbucks locations here. I'm REALLY hoping the payment trial expands to a few stores in the city! I would love to get rid of my physical cards in my wallet. Can't wait until the day I can pay everything with my iPhone!

Do they just scan a barcode on ur phone's screen, or something? How does it work? (not a coffee drinker, so I've never even played with the app)

And, btw, paying everything with the phone would be awesome. Kinda risky, but awesome, nonetheless.

 

[Friscohoya]

Apple, making it easier to seperate people from their money since 2004.

 

[paulyras]

Apple, making it easier to seperate people from their money since 2004.

A lot longer than that...

 

[thefourthpope]

Well I'm happy to hear the payment trial's expanding!!

Unfortunately there are no Target stores in Manhattan where I live. There are, however, something like 2,385,417 Starbucks locations here. I'm REALLY hoping the payment trial expands to a few stores in the city! I would love to get rid of my physical cards in my wallet. Can't wait until the day I can pay everything with my iPhone!

+1. NYC could use this

 

[DaveGee]

I'm a little confused...

Apple has a service that developers can use to offer in-app purchases (without forcing the user into safari and ordering via a normal web based transaction) right?

And doesn't Apple force all developer who want to provide in app purchases into using this services (at a 30% processing fee) - or resort to rolling the use out of the app and into Safari? If yes... then how is this App being allowed to skirt the system? From the screen shots a credit card number is directly entered into the Starbucks App and the App seems to only talk to Starbucks OWN payment systems.

If Starbucks is allowed do in app purchasing without Apple getting hit with a 30% fee for each purchase then what is preventing an Amazon ebook reader or a B&N ebook reader or anyone else wanting to sell a product from also going around Apple and not being forced to give up 30% cut?

Maybe I've mistakenly thought in App purchases HAD to be processed from Apples 30% service or not processed at all. This Starbucks app seems to indicate something else....

If I'm mistaken then please accept the advance apology but I'd love to hear from someone who might be in a better position to answer for sure (one way or the other).

 

[bytethese]

Well I'm happy to hear the payment trial's expanding!!

Unfortunately there are no Target stores in Manhattan where I live. There are, however, something like 2,385,417 Starbucks locations here. I'm REALLY hoping the payment trial expands to a few stores in the city! I would love to get rid of my physical cards in my wallet. Can't wait until the day I can pay everything with my iPhone!

+2

Seriously, we have a gazillion Starbucks here but no Target stores. I often get coffee before class and this would be cool to try.

 

[rydewnd2]

Well I'm happy to hear the payment trial's expanding!!

Unfortunately there are no Target stores in Manhattan where I live. There are, however, something like 2,385,417 Starbucks locations here. I'm REALLY hoping the payment trial expands to a few stores in the city! I would love to get rid of my physical cards in my wallet. Can't wait until the day I can pay everything with my iPhone!

+3 gotta get this in NYC

 

[CrAkD]

funny the only stores participating around me are in target stores. and well installing this app I was like hey starbucks following targets coupon on screen lead. but apparently their working together.

 

[Rojo]

Do they just scan a barcode on ur phone's screen, or something? How does it work? (not a coffee drinker, so I've never even played with the app)

Yes, when you're ready to pay, you just touch a button that brings up a screen that looks like this:

The barista scans it, and your drink is paid for!

I'm a little confused...

Apple has a service that developers can use to offer in-app purchases (without forcing the user into safari and ordering via a normal web based transaction) right?

And doesn't Apple force all developer who want to provide in app purchases into using this services (at a 30% processing fee) - or resort to rolling the use out of the app and into Safari? If yes... then how is this App being allowed to skirt the system? From the screen shots a credit card number is directly entered into the Starbucks App and the App seems to only talk to Starbucks OWN payment systems.

If Starbucks is allowed do in app purchasing without Apple getting hit with a 30% fee for each purchase then what is preventing an Amazon ebook reader or a B&N ebook reader or anyone else wanting to sell a product from also going around Apple and not being forced to give up 30% cut?

Maybe I've mistakenly thought in App purchases HAD to be processed from Apples 30% service or not processed at all. This Starbucks app seems to indicate something else....

If I'm mistaken then please accept the advance apology but I'd love to hear from someone who might be in a better position to answer for sure (one way or the other).

The Starbucks Card app simply stores the amounts you have on whatever Starbucks cards you already own. I don't believe you can buy NEW cards with it. The main things you can do are check the amount you have on any given card, and add more funds to an existing card. But you're never actually paying for something that's being put onto your phone (like an app, or an in-app purchase), or being viewed/accessed through your phone (like a subscription to something, i.e. an online newspaper or music service) -- so it doesn't make sense for Apple to take a cut of it. Whatever you buy with your Starbucks Card is at a physical store ONLY. Normally you would just whip out your physical card and just pay with that, but this app is allowing you to forgo the card and whip out your iPhone instead (in participating stores, of course).

So I think that's the main distinction...that what you're buying is something physical in a real store, and not something that's going to be on your phone somehow, like a B&N eBook would be.

 

[CylonGlitch]

Yes, when you're ready to pay, you just touch a button that brings up a screen that looks like this:

The barista scans it, and your drink is paid for!

SWEET! I'm sitting next to a Starbucks that is participating in this; I have my MacBookPro with me.. I'll have the scan your image. Thanks for the Coffee and Pastry!



(Ok, I won't do it, but be careful what you post).

 

[2992]

[...] The Starbucks Card Mobile app is free [...]

really? Cool!

 

[TitoC]

SWEET! I'm sitting next to a Starbucks that is participating in this; I have my MacBookPro with me.. I'll have the scan your image. Thanks for the Coffee and Pastry!



(Ok, I won't do it, but be careful what you post).

Actually, I think he is quite safe.

I hate to burst your bubble there, but that image is taken directly from the Starbucks site. I don't know . . . maybe it's just me, but I think they just might have mocked that one up. So I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's fake. But good luck with that free coffee.

Here, have one on me!

 

[Rojo]

Actually, I think he is quite safe.

I hate to burst your bubble there, but that image is taken directly from the Starbucks site. I don't know . . . maybe it's just me, but I think they just might have mocked that one up. So I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's fake. But good luck with that free coffee.

Here, have one on me!

Hahahha, yes... I took that image from the web. I would never post my own Starbucks card info!! Are you kidding?!?!

 

[rstansby]

Yes, when you're ready to pay, you just touch a button that brings up a screen that looks like this:

The barista scans it, and your drink is paid for!



The Starbucks Card app simply stores the amounts you have on whatever Starbucks cards you already own. I don't believe you can buy NEW cards with it. The main things you can do are check the amount you have on any given card, and add more funds to an existing card. But you're never actually paying for something that's being put onto your phone (like an app, or an in-app purchase), or being viewed/accessed through your phone (like a subscription to something, i.e. an online newspaper or music service) -- so it doesn't make sense for Apple to take a cut of it. Whatever you buy with your Starbucks Card is at a physical store ONLY. Normally you would just whip out your physical card and just pay with that, but this app is allowing you to forgo the card and whip out your iPhone instead (in participating stores, of course).

So I think that's the main distinction...that what you're buying is something physical in a real store, and not something that's going to be on your phone somehow, like a B&N eBook would be.

I agree. You are just using the phone to access your starbucks "account". It is similar to an online banking program. Apple can't charge 30% on every bill I pay online.

 

[alphaod]

I don't get the point of the card app. If I'm going to Starbucks, I most likely will be carrying my wallet (even if I'm paying with the Starbucks card). When I'm ordering coffee, I don't want to risk the cashier dropping my phone or something because I was too lazy to whip out the Starbucks plastic card I keep in my wallet.

Yes I do use the app to check my balance, but otherwise I don't see the need and the reasoning behind this.

And I keep my wallet in my back pocket, so it's easy… maybe this is for the men who carry purses or the women with a department store in their handbags. No idea.

 

[navguy]

i hate every single card that i carry - less is more in this case ... the phone is a must and usually very easy to access and hold out for the barista to scan (i won't be handing over!), i love this idea ... how 'bout Visa, M/C, D/L, etc?!?

 

[CylonGlitch]

i hate every single card that i carry - less is more in this case ... the phone is a must and usually very easy to access and hold out for the barista to scan (i won't be handing over!), i love this idea ... how 'bout Visa, M/C, D/L, etc?!?

I agree with you here. If I could get ALL cards out of my wallet I would be a happy camper. If they could put the transaction log into a single unified location that could be easily imported into Quicken I would switch instantly.

 

[smoked]

I don't get the point of the card app. If I'm going to Starbucks, I most likely will be carrying my wallet (even if I'm paying with the Starbucks card). When I'm ordering coffee, I don't want to risk the cashier dropping my phone or something because I was too lazy to whip out the Starbucks plastic card I keep in my wallet.

Yes I do use the app to check my balance, but otherwise I don't see the need and the reasoning behind this.

And I keep my wallet in my back pocket, so it's easy… maybe this is for the men who carry purses or the women with a department store in their handbags. No idea.

Works well for my son, who has his Starbucks card on his Touch. Unfortunately our Starbucks wasn't able to scan it, but he did at least get to be oohed and aahed over it since it was the first time the employees there had seen it. Although they can't properly scan it, having it is a lot more convenient than having to remember his card (or have me carry it).

 

[DaveGee]

The Starbucks Card app simply stores the amounts you have on whatever Starbucks cards you already own. I don't believe you can buy NEW cards with it. The main things you can do are check the amount you have on any given card, and add more funds to an existing card. But you're never actually paying for something that's being put onto your phone (like an app, or an in-app purchase), or being viewed/accessed through your phone (like a subscription to something, i.e. an online newspaper or music service) -- so it doesn't make sense for Apple to take a cut of it. Whatever you buy with your Starbucks Card is at a physical store ONLY. Normally you would just whip out your physical card and just pay with that, but this app is allowing you to forgo the card and whip out your iPhone instead (in participating stores, of course).

So I think that's the main distinction...that what you're buying is something physical in a real store, and not something that's going to be on your phone somehow, like a B&N eBook would be.

Ah... that does make it somewhat clear but I was still under the impression that if you were to perform any purchases with an iPhone app Apple insisted on you using their APIs and as such their services.. Yet its quite clear that Starbucks is proof that it isn't true and while you say you can't buy a any 'new' cards ... being able to deposit additional funds to an exiting card is pretty much the same thing. Not living in CA or being a coffee drinker my actual experience with this particular app is none existent. Perhaps I should down load it and see what options it provided for... that would clear things up quickly.

But, I guess Amazon could do an APP that allowed people to order items from their web store that were then shipped to via UPS... Anything so long as it wasn't delivered directly INTO the iPhone /iPod Touch/etc....

Or my big wish for someone like PeaPod (online grocery store that services my area) who could in turn write an App that would allow me to browse and order whatever I wanted from the store -- have it paid for right in the app and then delivered next day by the delivery service.

I just realized how much it SUCKS getting old(er)... the things that suddenly become 'cool'... (sad... so very sad...)

 

[L3X]

Don't give your phone to the barista, just hold it out and let them scan it.

 

[Lara F]

Well I'm happy to hear the payment trial's expanding!!

Unfortunately there are no Target stores in Manhattan where I live. There are, however, something like 2,385,417 Starbucks locations here. I'm REALLY hoping the payment trial expands to a few stores in the city! I would love to get rid of my physical cards in my wallet. Can't wait until the day I can pay everything with my iPhone!

Target's on the very first stop in Brooklyn on the N or the D train. Don't be like Sex and the City, it's not the end of the earth!

 

[DaveGee]

Target's on the very first stop in Brooklyn on the N or the D train. Don't be like Sex and the City, it's not the end of the earth!

Half the people living in 'the city' still think you need a passport to cross any of the river crossings.

jk jk jk .... sorta

 

[Nancy D.]

Ah... that does make it somewhat clear but I was still under the impression that if you were to perform any purchases with an iPhone app Apple insisted on you using their APIs and as such their services.. Yet its quite clear that Starbucks is proof that it isn't true and while you say you can't buy a any 'new' cards ... being able to deposit additional funds to an exiting card is pretty much the same thing. Not living in CA or being a coffee drinker my actual experience with this particular app is none existent. Perhaps I should down load it and see what options it provided for... that would clear things up quickly.

But, I guess Amazon could do an APP that allowed people to order items from their web store that were then shipped to via UPS... Anything so long as it wasn't delivered directly INTO the iPhone /iPod Touch/etc....

Or my big wish for someone like PeaPod (online grocery store that services my area) who could in turn write an App that would allow me to browse and order whatever I wanted from the store -- have it paid for right in the app and then delivered next day by the delivery service.

I just realized how much it SUCKS getting old(er)... the things that suddenly become 'cool'... (sad... so very sad...)

But you aren't purchasing a NEW App. You're just using the app. That's the difference. The app happens to be "have a photo of your Starbucks card" as the activity instead of tossing balls of paper into a wastebasket.

In theory, any retailer with reloadable gift cards can have a similar app. I have been using the same Starbucks card since at least 2007. Whenever Paul McCartney cards were first issued. I reload my card through the Starbucks website. Which I could do with my iPhone like always. But instead of digging through the thirtyleven cards in my wallet looking for my Starbucks one (although in reality THAT one is readily accessible), I can just show the "photo" of my card to the barista who then scans it and it's debited as always. So Jamba Juice or whoever could do the same.

I'm not making a purchase in the sense you're stating. I've really already made the purchase. The money has been transferred from my bank account to Starbucks' account. Or into some sort of limbo, but it surely is NOT in mine.

I'm not sure how a purchasing app would benefit Amazon, since I can go to Amazon and order it via the web browser already.....