Mobile Payments - July 10

Will 2014 be the year that mobile payments succeed?
"2011...2012...2013… each have been touted as the year that mobile payments will reach a tipping point, yet it would seem that adoption is lagging behind the news hype, at least in the UK. While mobile banking is now mainstream and accepted (even demanded for by some consumers), we just don’t seem to have taken to mobile payments at the point of sale as quickly. But is all this is about to change?"

Will Consumers Cash in on Mobile Payments?
"Whether it’s checking the weather, getting directions or sharing photos, people use their smartphones for just about everything these days. However, there’s one function that has yet to capture widespread attention: mobile payments. Despite a relatively slow start, a Gartner report predicts a 44% global increase in mobile commerce by the end of 2013, totaling $235 billion in transactions. However, mobile consumer purchases will remain a distant third to bill payments and money transfers."

Starbucks Expands iPhone Mobile Payment to Stores in Target Locations

"Starbucks has announced that customers can now pay for purchases at Starbucks stores in more than 1,000 Target locations nationwide through their Apple iPhone or iPod touch devices. The mobile payment capability at Starbucks stores in Target locations is the first expansion of this payment capability since last fall when Starbucks launched its Starbucks Card Mobile and myStarbucks Apps. Starbucks stores in the Target store locations join the 16 stores in Seattle and Northern California that currently accept mobile payment using the Starbucks Card Mobile App. In addition to mobile payment, Starbucks Card Mobile allows customers to set up and register a Starbucks Card, check their Starbucks Card balance and reload their Starbucks Card using a credit card." >> Continue Reading

Starbucks App Screen Shots

Here are screenshots of the application. Sorry for all the hype but this is a combination of two favorites...Starbucks Coffee and Mobile Commerce! >> Continue Reading

Starbucks and mFoundry Team Up

Drew Sievers and Bob Egan were discussing a BIG announcement on Twitter this morning. The news...mFoundry has build a mobile commerce application for Starbucks!

"Your decaf caramel macchiatos and no-whip pumpkin spice lattes are going mobile. In a double-shot launch (sorry), coffee giant Starbucks unveiled Tuesday its first two iPhone apps. The first one, called MyStarbucks, is a no-brainer: you can use the phone's GPS capability to find nearby stores (previously, this was available via text message), search ingredient and calorie information for Starbucks beverages and coffee bean varieties, and "build" virtual drinks to see what exactly would be in one if you ordered it.

But it's the second app, called Starbucks Card Mobile, that could be worth a double-take. The app allows for balance check and refilling of Starbucks gift cards, which the company has expanded into a customer loyalty program by offering discounts, free refills, and two hours of free Wi-Fi to cardholders. And in two experimental test markets, the Starbucks Card Mobile application can use a barcode to replace the plastic gift card altogether." >> Continue Reading