Starbucks is entering the iPhone app marketplace with a couple offerings that allow users to view menus and locate a Starbucks near them. These apps seem extraordinarily late to market as a fast search of the app store will uncover dozens of “coffee locators” that have been available for over a year. What could be interesting is a test that Starbuck’s is running on an application called Starbucks Card Mobile which allows those with a Starbucks Card to use their iPhone to monitor their balance and pay for purchases. Hopefully soon our mobile phones can replace the various cards and club member identifications that we all carry with us.

Starbucks Card Mobile via WSJ