Starbucks had one app out previously that was somewhat useful – but their most recent addition to the app store is a true winner.

Their first app to market was MyStarbucks, one that let you locate the nearest Starbucks, see their operating hours, view the menu and nutrition (oh god I had no idea the fat content of some of these things until I looked …), customize drinks, and in general, just play around with the content that you see when you walk into the shop.  All in all, not that amazing – and information you could get by googling or visiting the Starbucks mobile site.  Cute, but kind of a waste of space on my iPhone screen.

The new app, Starbucks Card Mobile, is immensely more useful.  This app lets you log into your Starbucks card account, view the current balance on your card, and reload it.  While waiting in line this morning in the Starbucks drive thru near work, I downloaded and installed, logged into, and added money to my card.  I got to the front of the line and was able to quickly pay for my drink.  Now the folks in line behind me have no idea how much time I saved them by not using the cashier to load up the card and then pay for my drink, but I earn karma points for it I’m sure.  In addition, I can load up cards for my family – my husband’s, for example – and make sure that he is always able to get that cup of coffee that he needs too.

Even cooler, if you live in one of their test markets (Seattle, Cupertino and Mountain View) you can actually pay for your java using your iPhone.  Because that key chain is just SO cumbersome.    Still … I love that they’re trying, so Jetsons!

Click on the photo of each app for info and download links.  More info on these apps is also available at the Starbucks site, http://www.starbucks.com/mobile-apps/.