Starbucks rolls out mobile payment system

Starbucks recently announced the expansion of its Starbucks Card Mobile payment system to nearly 300 locations in New York City and two Long Island counties, according to Trading Markets. With this new program, consumers can use their BlackBerry, iPhone or iPod Touch to not only order coffee, but also to pay for them by taking on credit card debt.

The program allows users to load their Starbucks Card with funds from their credit card, including directly from their phone itself, the report said. The mobile payment program is already being tested in Northern California, Seattle and in Target stores across the U.S.

The company believes that consumers will enjoy the convenience of taking on credit card debt in this way because it could mean they won't have to get out their wallet and search for a card to make a purchase, the report noted.

Many stores are also adding programs that will allow consumers to take on credit card debt with their smartphone as demand for greater ease in payments grows.