Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), following in the footsteps of McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) and most small municipal libraries, will begin to offer free WiFi beginning July 1. No reason for the delay was given.
At WIRED’s Business Conference Disruptive by Design the coffee company’s CEO Howard Schultz said “Starbucks will turn on one-click, free Wi-Fi through AT&T in all U.S. company operated stores.”
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.
The notion that Starbucks will allow customers access to expensive websites like the online version of The Wall Street Journal actually has a significant value to consumers and should bring Starbucks new traffic.
The only immediate problem that the new plan may cause is that the revival of Starbucks and “end” to the recession has increased the number of people who go to the coffee retail outlets considerably. The makes the availability of seating limited and may frustrate customers.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Are You Still Paying With a Debit Card?
The average American spends $17,274 on debit cards a year, and it’s a HUGE mistake. First, debit cards don’t have the same fraud protections as credit cards. Once your money is gone, it’s gone. But more importantly you can actually get something back from this spending every time you swipe.
Issuers are handing out wild bonuses right now. With some you can earn up to 5% back on every purchase. That’s like getting a 5% discount on everything you buy!
Our top pick is kind of hard to imagine. Not only does it pay up to 5% back, it also includes a $200 cash back reward in the first six months, a 0% intro APR, and…. $0 annual fee. It’s quite literally free money for any one that uses a card regularly. Click here to learn more!
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings to provide coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.