Starbucks and Apple Partner for Free iPhone Apps - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Starbucks and Apple Partner for Free iPhone Apps

by

shazamApple and Starbucks have expanded their music partnership to offer free apps as well. The coffee chain is now offering customers free "Pick of the Week" cards with App Store redemption codes for featured apps. The first app is Shazam Encore, a music-identification app that normally sells for $5.99.

Apple and Starbucks have had a relationship for years, originally offering free songs and letting iPod Touch and iPhone users easily purchase songs they heard in Starbucks locations. The company has offered musical "Pick of the Week" cards, letting customers download select music tracks for free as well.

(Image courtesy CNET)

Top Rated Comments

whyamihere Avatar
197 months ago
not so fast...

So after a little digging, I discovered the following (we have to wait until next week):

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3209320

"Starbucks yesterday announced a promotion that will be starting August 23rd similar to the iTunes song of the week, only this time it is an iPhone app of the week. They kicked it off with a serious value with Shazam Encore being this weeks app. This version of Shazam is usually around $6 and allows unlimited tagging. Quite the deal for just a trip into Starbucks, even if you get a coffee!

If there are no physical card at your location you may try the following:

"To get the free apps, you’ll need to head to your local Starbucks, connect to their Wi-Fi network, and click into the Starbucks Digital Network. A shortcut for iPhone owners is to use the official Starbucks app (free), which has a direct link into the Starbucks Digital Network."
Via CNET."
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zimmy68 Avatar
196 months ago
I know I am talking to a wall but I'll say it anyway.

Come on, guys don't abuse this.

Take one and let others who want it, buy a cup of coffee.

It's not like there isn't a Starbucks on every corner.

I got mine today and even though I could have grabbed one and left, I ordered my coffee to support this.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
197 months ago
.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
197 months ago
I prefer SoundHound to Shazam but that's beside the point - this is very cool!

Anyone know how I could go about getting Starbucks to possibly promote my app this way?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
196 months ago
The official word from Starbucks

Here's the official announcement. Or at least as official as you want to call a blog post on their site. http://www.starbucks.com/blog/pick-of-the-week-apps-books-tv-music-and-more/1064 (http://www.starbucks.com/blog/pick-of-the-week-apps-books-tv-music-and-more/1064)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
197 months ago
At my local starbucks, they place the piles beside the cash register.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...
All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Release Date and Pre-Orders

Monday September 7, 2026 6:01 pm PDT by
Apple has announced that it will be holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with the company widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, its first-ever foldable iPhone Ultra, and more. Now that we know the event date, we can make an educated guess about when iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders will begin, but there is a bit of a wrinkle this year....