Bringing Your Phone Charger to Starbucks is a Thing of the Past

You won't have to fight over the plugs in Starbucks anymore, EHousers.

That asshole who brought his computer, tablet, phone and, for some reason, a desktop monitor AND expects to be able to use all the plugs...can now be you.

Today Duracell Powermat and Starbucks began a national rollout of Powermat wireless charging in Starbucks beginning with stores in San Francisco's Bay Area.

The companies will expand Powermat to additional major markets in 2015, with a full national rollout in Starbucks company-operated stores and Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bars planned over time. Initial pilots in Europe and Asia are expected within the year.

"From WiFi and the in-store Starbucks Digital Network to mobile payment and digital music downloads, we have always tried to anticipate our customers' needs early in the adoption curve and provide a world-class solution. We are thrilled to offer our customers that next level of convenience with Powermat wireless charging.

Rather than hunting around for an available power outlet, they can seamlessly charge their device while enjoying their favorite food or beverage offering right in our stores," said Adam Brotman, chief digital officer at Starbucks.

"We were pleased with the customer response to the pilot tests, and we're now expanding this offering nationally to provide our customers a quality and reliable experience as they use our stores as their respite, their office away from home or as a gathering place with their friends and family."

Stores will be equipped with 'Powermat Spots' - designated areas on tables and counters where customers can place their compatible device and charge wirelessly.

Select Starbucks stores in Boston and San Jose offer Powermat today and the broader rollout can be tracked at http://www.powermat.com/locations.

Though, let's be honest, you're just going to go with your million devices and hope for the best.

"Powermat Spots in Starbucks are the result of almost a decade of scientific research spanning material sciences, magnetic induction and mesh networking," said Ran Poliakine, CEO of Powermat Technologies.

"The two-pronged power-plug dates back to the era of the horse drawn carriage, so that today's announcement marks the first meaningful upgrade to the way we access power in well over a century." And who doesn't want to charge their cell phone in something from the age of the horse-drawn carriage?

Powermat Spots comply with the open standard set by the PMA - whose members include AT&T, Blackberry, HTC, Huawei, LG, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Samsung, TI and ZTE - resulting in a growing universe of devices and accessories that will charge seamlessly in Starbucks.

"Starbucks is transforming the way consumers get power to their phones, in much the same way it made WiFi a standard amenity in public places. This endeavor is a critical step in Duracell's vision to make dead battery anxiety a thing of the past," said Stassi Anastassov, President of Duracell at Procter & Gamble.

"When Starbucks introduced WiFi in their stores in 2001, 95 percent of devices didn't have WiFi, and multiple standards hampered the industry.

The rest is history. Starbucks' plans to offer Powermat nationally is likely to settle any lingering standards questions, and usher wireless power into the mainstream," said Jeff Howard, vice president, Mobile Devices and Accessories, AT&T Mobility.

So run to your nearest Starbucks and demand to try out their Powermat. They might not be able to help you out yet (wait a few months), but at least they'll know what you're talking about.