They weren't being offered at my Evanston store (the barista knew nothing about the promotion); is your store handing them out yet? The first app to be offered under the plan is Shazam Encore, a music-identifying app that sells for $5.99 on iTunes. ||
Read "Starbucks now offering free iPhone apps with your purchase"
This is the first I'm hearing about this.
Posted by: waltie | August 16, 2011 at 12:06 PM
hm yeah I haven't heard anything about this.
Posted by: Barista Ben | August 16, 2011 at 01:44 PM
Considering android has a bigger market share than the iphone, its nice to see them giving away android apps...oh wait....
Posted by: dave pharos | August 16, 2011 at 02:24 PM
I've used the free Shazam inside SBUX to see what music was blaring. Fun and impresses friends and baristas.
Was given a "free music" card, downloaded the 10 songs never listened to them, weren't my style. But it was a nice thought ; )
Posted by: Coffee Drinker | August 16, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Apple - the only thing on this planet that sucks more than unions.
Posted by: Jeff Tom | August 16, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Here is more on the iPhone apps from CNET.
Posted by: Jim Romenesko | August 16, 2011 at 03:14 PM
Given that Starbucks is always on the side of corporate power and rarely on the side of workers or consumers, probably where is some nefarious spyware in that app. I bet it uploads a list of all your music on the bogus assumption that you stole all of it.
Posted by: Archie | August 16, 2011 at 08:23 PM
@Jeff Tom
Unions protect workers from bloodsuckers; some succeed at that and some fail to and a couple don't even try. Being that Starbucks is run by bloodsucking thieving parasites (who apparently are probably latent homosexual Christian nuts as well), any unions that can protect underpaid Starfucks workers should be welcomed.
Posted by: Archie | August 16, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Oohh is it a pick of the week? I don't even look at those anymore I just put them out!
Posted by: Barista Ben | August 16, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Wow, this is going to be an interesting giveaway.. checking now before placing my order.. Thanks
Posted by: IT Rush | August 17, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Archie/Blane,
Pissoff. The fact you cannot reasonably argue the "merits" of unions shows even you do not understand them and how worthless they are.
Posted by: Jeff Tom | August 17, 2011 at 10:29 AM
And, please go elsewhere are start your own blog re: "unions". I am sure you can have well-informed discussions there with like-minded people.
Posted by: Jeff Tom | August 17, 2011 at 10:30 AM
This thread isn't about unions. Off-topic posts are going to be deleted.
Posted by: Jim Romenesko | August 17, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Jim, do you remember when you used to eject people from here? It happened once or twice in the past 5 years or so.
Posted by: Legendarily Lean(er?) | August 17, 2011 at 02:48 PM
This isn't too big of a shock; Starbucks has been giving stuff away from Apple for a while, so this is just another progression of that.
Most of the people in my area seem to use Androids and Blackberries if they have s smartphone, so this doesn't really do them any good, and I have an Android phone so I won't be putting this to use, either. Oh well.
Posted by: James Connolly | August 17, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Starbucks best marketing ever
Posted by: Bricked iphone | August 18, 2011 at 03:48 AM
In Columbus, we've neither nor seen anything about this.
Posted by: Joe | August 18, 2011 at 01:25 PM
I work at a Starbucks in the WV area. Customers give me a quizzical stare when I don't have any information or knowledge of a "Free App of the Week" card. Are we exempt?! Perhaps Howie doesn't realize that about 20-25% of our customers use iPhones... (We don't exactly cater to the financially unstable). Bring the free apps to WV! My customers are pleading!
Posted by: P1553DB4R15T4 | August 19, 2011 at 04:18 AM
@Jim Romenesko
Trolls gotta go wherever they can to push their mythical agenda.
Posted by: Crateish | August 19, 2011 at 08:03 AM
App cards are apparently not available everywhere yet. I checked out three SBs (all locations typically filled with Apple users) and still just the free iTunes cards.
Darn.
Posted by: Crateish | August 19, 2011 at 08:07 AM
The cards just arrived in my store (SE Wisconsin) today. The Shazam Encore app goes out on the 23rd followed by a game called "Spy Mouse" the week after that.
Posted by: feaster | August 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Feaster is right, the cards came to the store I work at today in our order with a note saying to put them out on the 23rd
Posted by: STL_Nick | August 19, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Careful, Jeff T. every time you type "Apple" on the web, you up their Internet statistics, and help their market share. Ditto with that other thing you mentioned.
The more Google and Bing results return a search query to the top of a list, the more famous and good and wonderful people think it is.
Take w....ped...ia. People think it is a true and correct source, quote it like it's a god...sheesh! And the more it gets clicked the more it appears at the top of search results...
Ditto Apple, and other words people type, even those they dislike ; )
Here's mine: Vente no room. Venti no room. All the way to the top. No room for cream. LOL!!!
Posted by: Coffee Drinker | August 19, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Im currently working at a Starbucks in WA,we put these app cards out on Monday (wernt supposed to be out before then) Those of you who havent heard of this, it doesnt surprise me. Your stores may be behind on the cards or may not have recieved them yet. Not all stores are always on the same schedule when it comes to music and apps and what not. This is because there are so many Starbucks in the world. Those of you wondering why it is for the iphone, have you noticed that the free tunes cards are redemable on itunes? Coincidence. I dont think so lol
Posted by: Jordan | August 24, 2011 at 01:53 PM