Starbucks introduces mobile payments

Coffee chain Starbucks has introduced new technology in its US stores that will allow customers to pay for their beverages using new apps on the iOS and BlackBerry operating systems.

Starbucks Card Mobile, the new app, allows users to add their Starbucks store card and then track their rewards. It will also allow users to load money onto their virtual card through PayPal or credit cards.

In order to pay at the Starbucks counter, users simply press “touch to pay” on the iPhone app and then hold the phone up to one of the scanners in the store.

Vice president of Starbucks Card Brady Brewer says the decision to implement the feature across its stores was driven by previous research showing it could reduce customer wait times.