Starbucks testing mobile payment market, starts with iPhone app

techvibes.com

22 pointsmikeyur5 comments

There is no real gain in convenience compared to a Starbucks Card or cash, and you still have a paper receipt involved in the transaction. I'm having a hard time seeing how this is a step forward.

yeah, I was assuming I could use this to order a drink before I arrived at the store. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

Ability to skip the line in the morning would be worth it.

I just signed up for a starbucks card today, so I can get free wireless access. The iPhone app is better because I wouldn't need to carry my card with me. I know I will lose it or not bring it.

The ability to reload money on it is an advantage as well. Not sure if there is anything advantage to a starbucks card in general; discounts, give aways, other than the wireless, but I like the app approach over the plastic in my wallet.

PizzaHut did a similar thing a while back:

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/01/pizza-huts-delicious-ip...

Except it is more geared at remotely ordering a pizza to be delivered.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com