Starbucks on Wednesday launched a mobile payment system . Now you can pay at Starbucks with a mobile app that displays a matrix barcode (or two dimensional code) for your orders. Starbucks card mobile lets users add their Starbucks cards, Track rewards, and reload cards as needed via PayPal or a credit card.
The app is free to download; once the Starbucks mobile card app loads onto your phone and the download is complete, users may enter their card number and their device will display a barcode they can use as their Starbucks card to make purchases at the register’ dedicated QR barcode scanner allowing the customer make swift and easy payments. However, it's actually no different from putting a 2D barcode on the physical Starbuck card itself. Starbucks card mobile app will be used to pay for their coffee, pastries and other stuff at starbuck’s 6,800 stores and 1,000 Starbucks locations in target stores. Currently the app is available for Blackberry, iPhone & iPod touch. They are currently working on an app for Android and Windows users.
This has left me wondering what would happen if you expose your credit cards info or barcode images to hackers. Also imagine if someone takes your phone for a minute and takes a camera shot of your barcode image, this person can end up buying café vanilla frappachinos for everyone at Starbucks for free. What would happen if you can’t buy coffee for yourself because your battery is drained or phone is stolen. These are the issues i'm worried about.
http://www.b2cmarketinginsider.com/mobile-apps/starbucks-now-offering-mobile-payments-via-new-free-starbucks-smartphone-app-09771
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Mobile-Payment-Debuts-bw-1926630830.html?x=0&.v=1
http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/
I would have to agree with your concerns. Technology is so tricky sometimes and being dependent on yet another device that could crap out on you in the most un-opportune times is worrisome. Even with all the potential problems I think Starbucks made a smart move by establishing this technology. People wouldn't feel comfortable buying large items like appliances, cars, etc. with their phone, but buying a small coffee with your phone isn't too daunting of an idea. Starbucks might not see this technology catch on as quickly as they'd like, but by introducing this to their consumers they have made it that much easier for them to purchase their product!
ReplyDeleteI believe this is nothing but a marketing gimmick designed to raise awareness of a brand. If you look at it this new technology starbucks introduced will only give customers a new way of payment and it could probably be more convenient for some people. I also agree the fact it is a risky way because people can easily have access to your phone and tap whatever it is to get a capture of your barcode or information. With hackers everywhere now, i think starbucks should have done a better job and i believe they will.
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