Post #4
I’m not exaggerating when I say I have been waiting YEARS for Starbucks to allow customers to order ahead. Their mobile app has been a staple on my iPhone for the last three years or so, as long as it has allowed users to pay with their phones in store. This is a very useful feature, because it’s definitely faster than rifling through your wallet to find your credit card or Starbucks card. If you’re an average Starbucks customer, odds are, you’ve had your smartphone out the whole time you’ve been waiting in line anyway.
The new beta order feature makes every part of your Starbucks experience better. The app allows you to browse your recent orders, as well as popular menu items, including food. The tile format is aesthetically pleasing, the pictures are large enough that you can actually see what you’re getting, and it’s easy to scroll through. The feature allows you to browse by type of drink, or enter search terms.
When you select a base drink, the interface allows you to customize your drink. The fact that the default option is presented in a different color makes it clear to the user that it is indeed an option. The arrows on the right indicate that they will take the user to another page where they will be able to change the default options. This interface is very learnable because it has affordances for first time users to see where they can change the default input. It’s an incredibly efficient interface because it stores users’ previous orders, including all customizations, and makes them the first to appear, so regular users don’t have to go through the same selection process each time they use the interface.