Starbucks is adding 100,000 wireless charging pads across its U.S. stores

The aggravating search for an open electric outlet at Starbucks is finally coming to an end. The coffee chain will announce today the national roll out of wireless phone charger pads, starting with its locations in San Francisco. More than 100,000 table chargers will be installed across its 7,500 company-owned locations (about a dozen per store, notes USA Today) over the next three years.

Starbucks hopes the high-tech gadgetry will lure customers into staying long enough for another pumpkin spice latte, Chonga bagel, or what have you. The pads will be free to use, regardless. Although this sounds like a game changer, not all phones have wireless charging capabilities at the moment. Depending on the device, an additional accessory will be needed — but, luckily, the chain will be happy to sell you one of those too, in the future.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up