The Starbucks Way

Starbucks has just announced the launch of mobile payment in all U.S. Company operated stores, allowing customers to pay for in-store purchases with select smartphones (Blackberry, IPhone and IPod Touch). This is the largest mobile payment program in the US and, according to Starbucks, the fastest way to pay there. To do that, you only need to download a free Starbucks application on your smartphone; that is if you are among the 75% of Starbucks costumers who have a smartphone. Then you can pay with your smartphone by holding it in front of a scanner on the countertop and scan the Starbucks Card Mobile Application on-screen barcode to make the payment.

 

Even if the idea seems attractive, I don’t see how this new application would be faster or easier than just paying with cash or a debit card. Those customers will still have to wait in the line, order their drinks and then scan the bar code appearing on their smartphone. Also what if there are some problems with the Internet connection or the phone itself? This doesn’t seem to be a very reliable way of payment… If you think about it, how many times has your phone failed you? Also you need to consider all the issues regarding personal information privacy. You don’t know for sure where all the information entered on your phone application can go and how easy it can be obtained from other people. All this considered; I doubt that this new application will be useful, even for the Starbucks advocates.

Music Piracy in France

Almost everybody in our generation has either downloaded or shared music on the internet; this is not news. Different governments around the world have tried to come up with legal measures to counter music piracy. Most of those measures however, are not effective and do not stop people from downloading music.

In France the government passed the final version of the HADOPI law in October 2009 as a means to encourage compliance with copyrights issues. A government agency with the same name was also created that year. The way the procedure works is quite interesting; it follows three steps. If it is found that you have downloaded music illegally on your computer, the agency will send you an email with the time of the claim. If you are repeating the offense you will receive an official letter within the next six months with similar information. However if you continue your internet connection will be stopped, from two months up to a year; in the mean time you will still have to pay for the connection and for other fees.

Is this working? According to many people in France, the answer is no. The fist reason is that the law is difficult to implement and it is difficult to keep track of all the connections and downloads. The second reason is that there are always going to be alternative ways for people to download music; and the websites will find a way to get around it. This example makes it hard to believe that legislation can keep up with technology regarding music piracy issues.