Starbucks revamps iOS app with Passbook support

Starbucks released an updated version of its prepaid card application for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone, adding support for the iOS 6 platform's new Passbook service.

Starbucks for iOS connects to the user's prepaid Starbucks Card account, enabling consumers to pay for their order by holding their iPhone in front of a countertop scanner and processing the app's on-screen barcode. With the updated version 2.4, users can add their Starbucks Card to Passbook, which collects users' movie tickets, transit passes, retailer loyalty cards and related documentation in one app for more efficient access. The Verge notes the overhauled Starbucks app also leverages Passbook's geolocation features: Consumers can customize the service to automatically load the payment option to their iPhone lockscreen at their 10 favorite store locations.  

The Starbucks mobile payment app is accepted at all 6,800 company-operated stores in the U.S. as well as more than 2,000 Target and Safeway locations, and it now accounts for more than 1 million transactions every week. Beginning this fall, Starbucks stores will swap out their existing point-of-sale terminals in favor of Square, which enables businesses to accept credit and debit purchases by swiping cards through the startup's signature card reader, a small dongle that plugs into a smartphone or tablet audio jack.

Starbucks payment integration is just one facet of Passbook, which launched last month in conjunction with Apple's new iOS 6. Brands including American Airlines, United Airlines, American Express, Fandango, Major League Baseball, Walgreens, Ticketmaster and Live Nation have all committed to Passbook support. Similar to Starbucks, McDonalds locations in France are currently trialing Passbook-based services enabling customers to order food and pay for their meal via iPhone app.

For more:
- read this Verge article

Related articles:
Starbucks adopts Square for in-store payments, invests $25 million
Starbucks: Mobile payments top 42 million, new m-commerce services brewing
Starbucks mobile payments eclipse 26M within first year
Starbucks launches nationwide mobile payment network