Starbucks is revamping its mobile app to support sending gifts in Apple's Messages app via Apple Pay, as revealed in the company's recent shareholder meeting. The new Starbucks app update will also feature an add-on integration which will enable non-Apple users to order and gift beverages through Microsoft Outlook.
Meanwhile, Starbucks Chief Technology Officer Gerri Martin-Flickinger and the company's Vice President of China Digital Molly Liu have announced that the ability to gift coffee and other beverages via iMessage app on iOS 10 will be kicking off sometime in April. The latest update (dated 6 March) will enable users to access Starbucks balance and available reward points using their Apple Watch.
It is being estimated that at least one out of three customers now use Mobile Order and Pay, among the available 13+ million Starbucks Rewards members and nine million mobile paying customers.
Starbucks is also contemplating the idea of integrating Amazon Alexa into Ford vehicles' infotainment system later this year. Using Ford's SYNC 3 system, users will soon be able to order their favourite Starbucks drinks on the go with a simple voice command such as "Alexa, ask Starbucks to start my order."
Meanwhile, iOS users can exploit the AI-powered virtual barista assistant being integrated into the iMessage app in iOS 10 for making all their Starbucks transactions as the company lays down plans to celebrate its 25thanniversary later this year.
Interested users may go ahead and download the latest version of Starbucks app for free on iOS while the company is yet to add this feature on the Android platform.
