Starbucks updates app with iOS 7 theme, virtual tip jar and 'shake-to-pay'
Starbucks, one of the first companies to include support for rechargeable payment cards in Passbook, updated its app on Thursday, adding a new "flat" iOS 7 aesthetic, "shake-to-pay" and digital tipping.
Immediately apparent in Starbucks version 3.0 is the new design theme, which riffs on Apple's "flat" iOS 7 look with an uncluttered interface, copious use of the Helvetica Neue font and a marked absence of skeuomorphic graphics.
A revamped dashboard has also been added where customers can quickly see rewards levels, available rewards, recent transactions and more. The app grants access to a user's entire account history, including purchases, stars earned (Starbucks' rewards point system) and rewards redeemed.
Operationally, Starbucks packs in a few new features, including a digital tipping service for participating U.S. stores. Because the payment system is handled digitally, customers can tip the Starbucks barista up to two hours after buying a drink. Instead of tipping before tasting their cappuccino, users now have more than enough time to decide if the beverage merits a tip. The system will push out a tip notification after each eligible transaction.
Finally, a new "shake-to-pay" mechanism lets users shake their iPhone to bring up the account barcode needed for scanning at the register. The app must be running for the feature to work.
Starbucks is a free 23.7MB download from the App Store.
Immediately apparent in Starbucks version 3.0 is the new design theme, which riffs on Apple's "flat" iOS 7 look with an uncluttered interface, copious use of the Helvetica Neue font and a marked absence of skeuomorphic graphics.
A revamped dashboard has also been added where customers can quickly see rewards levels, available rewards, recent transactions and more. The app grants access to a user's entire account history, including purchases, stars earned (Starbucks' rewards point system) and rewards redeemed.
Operationally, Starbucks packs in a few new features, including a digital tipping service for participating U.S. stores. Because the payment system is handled digitally, customers can tip the Starbucks barista up to two hours after buying a drink. Instead of tipping before tasting their cappuccino, users now have more than enough time to decide if the beverage merits a tip. The system will push out a tip notification after each eligible transaction.
Finally, a new "shake-to-pay" mechanism lets users shake their iPhone to bring up the account barcode needed for scanning at the register. The app must be running for the feature to work.
Starbucks is a free 23.7MB download from the App Store.
Comments
Who is Rosemary Valarie? Is she that Ballet teacher ?
Looks like an android app
Maybe a little cleaner looking.
As it is they're charging you $4.00 for $0.20 worth of foam and coffee.
It is, in fact..... Avenir Next. The same font used in Maps. It's nowhere near Helvetica though. Dunno how they got that wrong!
Sorry, that's not Helvetica Neue. Looks like Gotham.
It is, in fact..... Avenir Next. The same font used in Maps. It's nowhere near Helvetica though. Dunno how they got that wrong!
Good eye. The numbers and the "R" are usually very identifying.
McDonald’s sells neither beer nor wine. I’m to understand that alcohol lowers cognitive ability.
McDonald’s sells neither beer nor wine. I’m to understand that alcohol lowers cognitive ability.
I'm not sure if you've ever stepped foot in a Starbucks, but it sells neither beer nor wine.
The employees know my name...
The employees know my beverage of choice.
The employees know my vehicle a start my beverage when they see said vehicle.
The employees provide prompt service and prepare a product that is consistent and that I enjoy.
The employees maintain a clean and comfortable place to meet and visit with friends or get some work done.
The employees work Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years.
I appreciate good service and I tip. Perhaps there's a 12-Step program for me?
Why would you tip at Starbucks? You don't tip at McDonalds..
At Starbucks their is a "little" bit a craftsmanship involved in making a nice latte art or customizing your drink in some manner, so tipping could be considered reasonable, but if you tip with the app an hour later the barista isn't going to know who you were. It makes it like an anonymous tip.
Anyway, I have been to a Starbucks maybe 3-4 times in my entire life and the black coffee was always awful. I have heard the coffee at McDonald's is actually much better but I have not tried it.
Agree... I get not going there if you don't like the product. No one finds me browsing products at the Samsung store in BestBuy. I tip the bartender that spent 15 seconds at a tap pouring an ale and leaving it on a bar.
I tip everybody but I am admittedly a complete coffee snob. I once sold a 69 kilo bag of green coffee to Starbuck a few years ago. They paid about 100 times more per weight than the coffee they serve in their restaurants. They said is was for training purposes in their lab. I'm actually taking a tour of their facility in Seattle next month just for kicks.
Wouldn't have guessed based on your sig.
Even coffee at a homeless shelter in a paper cup is better then that served at Starbucks.
Even coffee at a homeless shelter in a paper cup is better then that served at Starbucks.
And you know this how? With that type of comment I doubt you have been within ten miles of a homeless shelter, let alone tasted their coffee.
Go volunteer at the soup kitchen and then get back to us.
I'm not sure if you've ever stepped foot in a Starbucks, but it sells neither beer nor wine.
Interestingly enough, nope. But this is one case in which experience isn’t a requisite for conversation.
I wonder if you pay through Passbook if something will pop up to tip? I definitely never tip at Starbucks, why would I? Like others have said do you tip at McDonalds or a Panera? No. They have health insurance for god sake and pay for it by increasing their coffee prices by .10 cents in the past.