Yesterday Starbucks released an update to their iPhone app. The app allows you to view and update info of your Starbucks cards, and since December it has allowed you to pay with your iPhone at 16 test stores. The test stores were mainly in Starbucks’ home town of Seattle, as well as San Francisco and a few other cities.

Apparently the test is going well. Yesterdays iPhone app update revealed 1019 total stores that accepted payments via iPhone. Most of which appeared to be in-store Target locations.

However, the update seems to have been in error, perhaps a little too early of a release. Today’s Starbucks iPhone update took the stores available back down to 16. Although there is still a note saying that the update allows for more stores which will be coming soon. I think the error is an indication that we’ll see this new functionally rolling out very soon, at least at Target stores.

Payment by iPhone is functionality that has the potential to be huge. Imagine a world where you no longer have to carry a wallet, but instead scan your phone for all gift card purchases, credit card purchases, airline boarding passes (already available with Delta), and maybe even your ID. The world is changing.

Technologic Overkill – The First Music Video Shot on an iPhone 3GS from Steve Ellington on Vimeo.

Dunkin’ Donuts has released a new interactive Website and iPhone App aimed at making your group coffee and donut runs more efficient and automated.  Using the App or the Website you can send out an alert to your friends and coworkers letting them know you are going on a run to Dunkin Donuts.  They can reply to the request via their iPhone or from the Website and put in an order for what they would like.  Everything from frozen latte’s to donut holes is on the interactive menu.  Once all the data is collected you can check the App on your iPhone, or print it and present it to the staff at Dunkin to place your order.

From the www.DunkinRun.com Website:

The Dunkin’ Run is the easiest way to grab that delicious pick-me-up for you and your friends. Here’s how it works:

• INVITE: Start a run at DunkinRun.com from your computer, mobile device, or our iPhone application . You are now “the runner”, and pick which friends you’d like to invite by providing their email or mobile phone number (no spaces or dashes e.g. 1234567890).
• ORDER: Select what you want from the menu, and we’ll contact your friends and tell them to do the same.
• RUN: Go get the goods. We’ll compile all orders for you, and you can print it out or have it sent to your mobile device (if you print it, just hand the print out to the Dunkin’ crew member at the shop and they’ll take it from there).
• ENJOY! Bring the goodies back, and enjoy the deliciousness, along with the hero worship from your friends.

It also includes tie-ins to Facebook to update your coworkers on the status of your run, as well as let’s you save past runs and favorites.

What would make this even more awesome?  If it sent the order directly to Dunkin so that it was waiting for you when you get there.  A step further would be to let each individual pay for their order via the App or Website – making collecting money from everyone less of a hassle.

This is a brilliant and very well executed marketing campaign that will last for years.  I know I will use it.  What we need is something similar for Starbucks.

“iPhone 3GS announced: $199 16GB, $299 32GB, June 19″ The old 3G is now $99 – http://ping.fm/TI78j

Oh Snap! “New iPhone 3GS announced” #WWDC – http://ping.fm/6h9tg

Here we go: “We think you’ll love 3.0 — it’s free for iPhone users, $9.95 for touch users. And it will be available June 17th.”

Listening to: CTO and Co-founder of TomTom, Peter-Frans Pauwels announcing new TomTom App for iPhone at #WWDC

From #WWDC – “29 carriers will support MMS when we launch… AT&T will be ready at the end of the Summer.” Ouch! AT&T…always behind.

Apple Store is down… iPhone 3.0 coming today?? Listen in on the nerds at WWDC – http://ping.fm/SaGoF

“Phil Schiller keynote live from WWDC 2009″ – http://ping.fm/xZYTE #iphone3.0