SMS-based Starbucks locator, a double shot
Ok, let’s face it, as far as web workers are concerned, Starbucks is an almost daily pitstop. We usually hit the same one everyday, or maybe have a few locations that we love to work from. But what happens when you are on vacation, working from a new location, or in another city?
How on earth can we hunt down our beloved latte headquarters? Usually we would power on our laptop and hunt a Starbucks location down from their official site. Well now there is a better way, built exclusively for web workers in mind, almost. Caffeine addicts can now send a text message with a zip code to “MYSBUX”. You will get a text back with three of your nearest locations with their address and phone numbers. What would be interesting if there was a Google Map mash-up of Starbucks, and a link to the map is embedded in the SMS we receive.
Only drawback, how can you locate a zip code if you are traveling, or in a new area? Find a phone book, ask a stranger, or boot up that laptop again.
Starbucks does have a mobile site at mobile.starbucks.com, where users can punch in their zip code or postal code, or do a city search to locate the Starbucks in your area that has Wifi. A far better alternative if you have a mobile browser on your phone, and less hassle to locate the zip or postal code you’re in.
Don’t forget to pop into your local Starbucks on March 15th from 10am to Noon to get a free freshly brewed cup of coffee they are using to promote the new service.
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OK, this is now my ultimate app. I can step out of the airplane, and by the time I’m in baggage I’ll know where my next stop is.
Very Cool.
Wouldn’t it be cool if more people used Find By Click :) This is the Google Maps with Starbucks markers mashup. I use it when I’m so in need of caffeine that I’ve lost all sense of direction.
Enjoy!
Dave [at] thegreencompany [dot] org
Differentiation by zip code?! This won’t be very helpful in New York City. The returned results would number in the thousands.
I suppose you can always just walk one block to find one, but…
Xavier, don’t worry, you only get 3 results!
Ever since I realized that Starbuck’s makes the WORST chai latte on the planet, I try to not go there anymore, but sometimes it’s any port in a storm, so this tool will definitely come in handy.
As web workers, though, consider Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf because they have free wifi… and a kick-ass chai latte.
I’ve been doing the same thing for a while, just to GOOGL (46645) instead of MYSBUX. Google maps and directions on the cellphone is a life saver.
I must agree I don’t always, actually seldom, know the zip code of my traveling location. However, it does work and right on the money when I did use it.
Another good one is to use Goog-411 (800-466-4411) give it a try or read more at Goog411 on Fam5.com
JB
Just to vent a bit … What good are all these fancy toys if I can’t find a Starbucks while on business internationally? I have seen Starbucks in London, Milan, Tokyo and Shanghai, yet somehow the clever map-makers have forgotten to include the world in their map-making. What is it with people and their precious international borders?