Even companies that, on paper, seem largely unrelated like to form mutually beneficial partnerships, and given how often you see a MacBook’s glowing logo in a coffee shop, it should come as no surprise that Starbucks has just brought Apple Pay capabilities to its official iOS app. There are several other new features besides, the details of which you’ll find below.
As an official Apple Pay partner, it was only a matter of time before Starbucks’ iOS app was updated to support the newly-introduced method of processing transactions, and only a few months after the contactless system arrived with iOS 8.1, the world’s most recognizable coffee chain has obliged.
Starbucks likes to jump on the bandwagon where Apple is concerned, and you only need look at the prompt introduction of Passbook support back in 2012 for evidence of this. Where iOS 6’s digital voucher and ticket wallet laid the foundations, though, Apple Pay is the real deal, and Starbucks-loving iPhone users can now take advantage.
The update essentially permits users to add credit to their digital Starbucks Card using Apple Pay, and so while it’s not quite the grand roll out of ‘complete’ Apple Pay at Starbucks outlets that many coffee connoisseurs have yearned for, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
Apple Pay terminals should arrive in the near future, but this will do for the moment, and elsewhere, this update also offers menu tweaks, and for Portland-based users, Mobile Order & Pay should be much more seamless.
Apple Pay has enjoyed huge support from a number of major companies and brands throughout the United States, and although it’s going to be quite a while before we can collectively ditch the plastic and cash for good, the progress that Apple Pay has made in just four months is very promising indeed.
You can grab the updated app below absolutely free of cost, and as ever, do be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions in that comments section below – it’s always good to hear from you!
(Download: Starbucks for iPhone on the App Store)
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