SEATTLE (AP) — Starbucks Corp. is launching an application Wednesday that lets customers with Android smartphones buy things with a wave of their phones.
The Seattle-based company launched similar applications nationwide for BlackBerry and iPhone and iPod touch in January.
Customers can pay by holding their mobile device in front of a scanner that registers the on-screen barcode. The application also allows customers to load their Starbucks loyalty card accounts, check card balances and find stores nearby, and it notifies customers of promotions and other discounts.
Starbucks already uses the technology at its 6,800 company-owned stores and more than 1,000 cafes within Target stores. Beginning this summer it is rolling out to roughly 1,000 Starbucks stores insde Safeway supermarkets.
