starbucks

The partnership between Starbucks and Square may accomplish what even tech giant Google hasn't been able to pull off: taking mobile payments into the mainstream.

With Starbucks, Square has a large and visible pulpit from which to tout its fledgling "pay with Square" mobile payment service. Best known for its small mag-stripe reader and ability to quickly handle transactions for small businesses, the company is pushing to get consumers to use Square as a digital wallet.

"The ubiquitous nature of Starbucks' national footprint can do a lot to raise awareness," Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said … Read more

Mobile payments startup Square has formed an extensive partnership with Starbucks that includes a $25 million investment from the coffeehouse giant.

Under the terms of the deal announced this evening, Square will process credit and debit card transactions at U.S. stores. Also, Starbucks customers will be able to make purchases with Pay with Square -- Square's payer app -- at Starbucks locations later this fall.

In addition to investing $25 million in Square's fourth round of funding, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz will join Square's board of directors. In June 2011, the company raised $100 million in … Read more

Starbucks is expanding its Android mobile app access to the United Kingdom and Canada, the company announced today.

The app allows customers to pay with their phones, locate stores and check their reward points, just like the original app. Additionally, it has some new features, including a widget, the ability to use PayPal (in addition to any major credit card) to reload your card, pin code protection and a rewards history dashboard to see how many points you've earned. U.S customers can also access the features with an app upgrade.

"The expansion of our mobile payment footprint … Read more

Do you gripe about the high prices at Starbucks? Some people try to avoid paying a large sum of money for a drink at the popular coffee shop, but Logan Warren went a different route.

"Armed with my Starbucks Rewards card, I decided to take the opportunity to find out just how much money I could pour into a Trenta--Starbucks' whopping 31-ounce cup," Warren says on his blog. … Read more

Starbucks is giving its augmented reality mobile app a little bit more love. Literally.

As part of a new update, users of the company's Cup Magic app can now point their phones at Starbucks Valentine's Day-themed cups to see new, love-themed effects that appear to be happening on the cup itself.

Starbucks originally launched its Magic Cup app last November on both iOS (iTunes) and Android (Market) to coincide with the coffee chain's annual run of holiday-themed cups. Users would point their smartphone's camera at one of the seasonal cups and it would pull up an augmented reality scene that matched up with whatever character was on the cup.

This new addition is a little more limited, with the company only using one type of cup that will be carried in its stores through February 16. … Read more

Hewlett-Packard mulls what to do with WebOS, Asus unveils a powerful tablet, and Adobe ceases development of a Flash Player plug-in for mobile devices.

Links from Wednesday's episode of Loaded:

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has had enough of gridlock.

If you thought he was merely talking about Congress, you might be in for an awakening far more unpleasant than a drip coffee from your local 7-Thirteen.

You see, a man named Jonathan ("JJ for short") contacted me to tell me about his recent experience at the Starbucks at 168th and Broadway in New York.

JJ, who says he is a financial analyst and Web designer, conveniently wrote down the fun from his point of view on his blog. What fun am I referring to? Oh, JJ claims that a Starbucks district manager threw him out of that Starbucks for being a laptop lounger.

You might, especially if you live in New York, be aware that certain Starbucks have been covering up their power outlets to deter the hard-working (or deeply lazy) members of America society from lingering too long in its fragrant bosom.

However, personal eviction by a Starbucks district manager appears to take the issue to a more elevated and entertaining level.

In JJ's version, the manager in question didn't have a business card, but allowed JJ to note his name, e-mail address, and phone number. His name was allegedly Damian Waugh. This does, according to LinkedIn, correspond with the existence of a Damian Waugh who is a New York district manager for Starbucks.

Waugh clearly has a feel for customer relations, as his previous job was district manager for Radio Shack.

JJ freely admits that he goes to Starbucks to work. He likes to be around people, as he normally works from his small apartment. Yesterday, he says: "I stood in line, ordered my toasted bagel with cream cheese along with a grande, bold coffee in a venti cup."

He freely admits he had been sitting in Starbucks--near a power outlet--for around two and a half hours. He then claims the following took place: "A man in a button down approached me and politely asked, 'What brings you into Starbucks today?'"

JJ could have answered: "Truth, justice, and the American way." Or perhaps: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

He says he did not. He says he admitted he was there to work. Waugh allegedly responded: "Okay, well we like to reserve our seating for those who are enjoying our beverages."… Read more

Rovio is closing in on a deal with Starbucks that will bring the company's famed franchise, Angry Birds, into the coffee shops.

According to an interview Bloomberg conducted with Rovio Senior Vice President Wibe Wagemans, the Angry Birds maker could soon bring electronic leader boards to Starbucks stores to promote top-scoring players. In addition, the companies will offer Starbucks customers exclusive in-store promotions, including virtual goods.

"It's tying in the real world with the virtual world," Wagemans told Bloomberg. "Retailers get new customers who've not been to their stores yet, and repeat customers."… Read more

Starbucks this week is expanding its Pick of the Week Program to add applications, TV shows and "extended" samples of books through Apple's iTunes Music and App Stores. The program previously included only free music tracks.

CNET was first to report about the expansion of the program last week, the first part of which is with $5.99 music identification app Shazam Encore. Starbucks will be stocking that freebie in its stores beginning tomorrow, followed the week after by Firemint's Spy Mouse game.

Besides apps, one of the most interesting additions to the program is books, … Read more