Cut the Cord on Phone Charging-Go Wireless at Starbucks

Starbucks was among the first national chains to install Wi-Fi in its stores in 2001 and now they are making wireless phone charging pads a part of their tabletops so customers can charge their phones as they linger over and enjoy some pricey coffee. Over the next three years, more than 100,000 table chargers, built-in Powermat charge pads, will be installed in Starbucks' 7,500 company-owned stores in the U.S. That's about a dozen per store. Not long ago I blogged about wireless charging pads for electric cars but tabletop phone chargers will be even more useful since so many folks have cell phones, many more than folks with electric vehicles. Starbucks is just as much a trend setting techie operation as it is a trendy coffee place and they are once again getting ahead of the curve on technology. Wireless charging is now a multimillion-dollar industry but with Starbucks’ vision and help may quickly become a multibillion-dollar industry.