Starbucks' wireless chargers for mobile devices are moving out of the testing phase and into 200 San Francisco locations full time, with more cities slated to receive the new technology in the coming months.
"We are thrilled to offer our Bay Area customers the next level of convenience with Powermat wireless charging. This first market installation is a first step towards a national deployment of this amenity in our stores," Adam Brotman, chief digital officer at Starbucks,
said in a statement.
"We were pleased with the customer response to the pilot tests we conducted over the past two years and we now expect an even greater level of customer satisfaction as we set forth to offer wireless charging capability on a national scale."
According to The New York Times, the Duracell Powermats are embedded into the surfaces of tables and bars – meaning customers won't have to search along the wall for a place to plug in. Many phones are equipped with technology that allows them to charge simply by placing their phone on top of the mat, where it's cradled in a magnetic field that tops off the battery.
For those whose phones don't have wireless charging capabilities, Starbucks will loan out small rings that plug into mobile devices, pick up the wireless power, and charge the phone. For those who frequent Starbucks often, the rings will also be available for $10.
CNBC reported that because of its massive scale, Starbucks' decision to partner with Powermat Technologies could standardize what up until now has been a niche market for wireless charging. Starbucks was a pioneer in providing public Wi-Fi back in 2001, and are poised to set the tone for mobile phone manufacturers, who could see increased demand for wireless-ready devices when or if the Powermats become popular.
Notably, Powermat can remotely monitor each charging station from a central command hub, making sure that all of the mats stay juiced.
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