Starbucks is on its way to be the number one go-to Internet coffee shop. On top of its reliable Wi-Fi connection, free apps of the week, and access to The New York Times website, Duracell announced today that it would be equipping Starbucks stores in Silicon Valley with its Duracell Powermat.
The Duracell Powermat is a wireless charging station that are attached directly to the tables so you can charge your electronic devices while getting your daily dose of caffeine. This announcement follows a successful launch of the Duracell Powermat across Boston.
The only issue is that these charging stations require the user to have a Powers Matters Alliance (PMA) certified device or smartphone case, which Duracell sells separately for the iPhone 4, 4S 5 and Samsung Galaxy SIII. This seems like a pretty limited range of devices though. The Next Web has reached out to see if the stations will support more devices in the future.
Despite the limited number of devices that could actually use these charging stations, it just goes to show the direction that Starbucks is heading. By providing even more tech-friendly services, it only increases the likelihood of people spending more and more time in Starbucks shops. It’s pretty much a given at this point that you’ll have access to free Wi-Fi when you enter any Starbucks, and it would be just as convenient to have a wireless charging station in the same spot.
“We know that our customers use our cafés in a number of ways beyond buying coffee. For some, it’s their home office, for others it’s their place to get away and have some time to themselves. More and more customers are using Starbucks as their home base and they are looking to recharge in a number of ways,” explained Adam Brotman, the chief digital officer of Starbucks Coffee Company.
Image Credit: Mashable
