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Stricter Apple Pay?

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Was it the macOS 10.14.4 update that has made password security much tougher for the end user? Whenever Safari’s autofill attempts to fill out a form, I’m not prompted to provide a fingerprint or enter a password. Previously, the autofill did its magic.

From a security standpoint, this is probably better, but when you’re in a time crunch trying to cop kicks, this delay is deadly. Seemingly I can’t quickly log into PayPal OneTouch without having to authorize this access. To make this worse, PayPal and Safari has failed authentication many times today showing a white screen and not actually finishing the transaction.

A bug or a ploy to further the adoption and use of Apple Pay??

Six Minutes. Today’s Starbucks Mobile Order

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My first experience with Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay resulted in a minute-long visit to Starbucks. Today’s experience showed the inconsistency of this experience. Six minutes. That was my time in and out of the same Starbucks.

I placed my order before filling up gas at Sam’s Club. The app said 3-7 minute wait with a one-minute drive. After filling up, I drove around to the Starbucks parking. I went straight to the pickup area, thanking that I could bypass this line.

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But at the pickup area were others waiting for their pickup, either mobile ordering or in-store ordering. There was also one patron whose drink supposedly got lost and getting the re-order was tough with language problems. Frappuccino or cappuccino? Even I could tell what she was saying. So as that was being sorted out, the clock kept on ticking. The baristas were shuttling back and forth getting food and drinks ready as I waited and watched.

Then my drink (a grande Cold Brew) was called. Sadly, it was sitting in the back of the pickup area all this time. It was on a tray with other drinks so I thought it was part of a bigger order. But nope, I was waiting while my drink was waiting. The store was busy this morning, and that’s something the Mobile Order and Pay can’t account for. Busy workers are busy and can’t be expected to track everything perfectly. So anyways, my drink was ready in the stated timeframe, but I didn’t receive it until six minutes after walking in.

Fastest Visit to Starbucks. Ever.

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sbux-mobile-pay1Ever. Did you hear me? Ever. I walked in. I was handed my my drink. I walked out. I didn’t clock my time, but it must have been less than a minute. When’s the last time you ever bought something in Starbucks and was done with your entire transaction in less than 60 seconds?

sbux-mobile-pay2Thanks to the nationwide launch of Starbucks Mobile Order and Pay service, this experience is now possible for all mobile app users. Using the expanded Starbucks mobile app, you make your order, customize the heck out of it (if wanted), and finally place and pay for your order at a nearby location. The app approximates your driving time (based on your location) and also estimates your drink creation time. When you get there, you walk straight to the pickup area and claim your drink. Even better if the workers recognize you and can pull your drink from the other mobile orders awaiting pickup.

As far as I know, you can’t order ahead and set a specific pickup time. When your order is placed, it’ll be made and be available at the pickup area in the next few minutes. Also, I don’t think there’s a notification informing you when your drink is ready. I guess there’s no point since you’re supposedly on your way.

Now, will this mobile ordering method lessen the overall Starbucks experience? Maybe, since you no longer have the chance of interacting with the workers. But then again, you’ve been to a Starbucks with a line 8 to 10 deep and reconsidered. Waiting behind the customer making a mass order for the workplace is never fun. Never. Especially when that person is paying individually to rack up the Bonus Stars. With this app (and some preplanning), you can avoid these queues and get your caffeine fix.

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