Perhaps somewhat lost in the hubbub over the coming roll out of free WiFi at Starbucks locations all around the nation was a second major annoucement from the company: the Starbucks Digital Network.
This is a partnership with a grip of media companies spearheaded by Yahoo to provide access to premium content for free to users on the now gratis Starbucks internet. In other words, with that $7.59 triple shot soy mocha venti concoction you will get to browse the Wall Street Journal at no charge. From the company’s mouth:
Building on the Wi-Fi update, Schultz also revealed plans for a new online customer experience called the Starbucks Digital Network, in partnership with Yahoo!, which will debut later this fall. This online experience – available only in U.S. company operated Starbucks stores – will be unique in its content offerings, allowing customers free unrestricted access to various paid sites and services such as wsj.com, exclusive content and previews, free downloads, local community news and activities, on their laptops, tablets or smart phones.
Whatever your device, if you are in range of a Starbucks, free things are coming your way. Initial companies involved include “iTunes, The New York Times, Patch, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! and ZAGAT.”
If you are savvy (sneaky), you don’t even have to buy coffee to get in on the good stuff. Starbucks is trying to recapture its previous magic as the company that pampered you. If you are in the US at least, well done Starbucks.
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