The world of iPhone Apps is now slightly more complete as Starbucks launched not one but TWO cool applications today (ya, take that Duncan Donuts). While many might say the release is long over due I appreciate Starbucks taking their time to get the application right the first time (lesson learned the hard way by Chipotle, who has a great iPhone App as well). Before launching the Starbucks App for the first time I paused and admired the simple green logo staring back at me from page 7 of my iPhone (will be moved forward) wondering if it would live up to my expectations.
From the main screen you have the following options: my Starbucks, Stores, Drinks, Coffees, and Food:
The my Starbucks page allows you to view your favorites under each category as well as your friend’s favorites if they have shared them with you. You can send your favorites via blue tooth to an iPhone nearby or via e-mail.
In the past I have used yelp or google maps to find nearby Starbucks but the Stores page does this more efficiently now in google maps AND it allows you view store hour
s, get directions, invite a friend (very cool), and even lists amenities at the location including wifi and oven warmed food. In list view you can even quickly scan for stores around you that are currently open.
Know someone who orders an “Iced half-calf quad venti 4 pump vanilla 2 pump almond non-fat light ice latte”? Well, the Drinks page is designed with them mind. You can customize any drink you like and save, share, and ultimately enjoy it once ordered. The customization process was very smooth and presented almost every option I could think of including “upside down”, “double cupped” and “Extra Hot”. Once you have created something tasty you can even see the nutrition information (if you really want to).
The Coffee page provides short explanations of each Starbucks roast as well as suggested food pairings and pictures from where the coffee is actually grown. This page is a great resource if you need to pick out coffee but have no idea what you are looking for or if you know you like one certain blend and want to try something similar.
The Food page contains pictures of everything served at Starbucks as well nutrition information and coffee pairing ideas. I am getting hungry even though it is past 10:00 PM right now just looking all the pastry goodness!
Overall I really like what Starbucks has done with their first cut at the iPhone App. The other one released today is for managing your Starbucks cards including the ability to pay directly from your iPhone (scanning a bar code from it), but this functionality is only available at about 30 stores nationwide.
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Future updates that would be really cool:
- The ability to collect drink orders from your friends (like Duncan Donuts)
- Creating a way to track every Starbucks store you have visited and display those stores on a map
- Ability to share your favorite drink on twitter or facebook so someone could look up what you like and bring you one (even if you don’t explicitly send it to them)
- Integration of www.mystarbucksidea.com allowing users to submit and view ideas
Have you tried the new Starbucks iPhone App and if so what are your thoughts?
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I love the ability to easily find the closest Starbucks and its business hours. I am excited to use the Starbucks app more and see what updates they add along the way. Another point for Starbucks!