FluxPort brings wireless charging to Starbucks

Starbucks was the first coffee shop in the world offering free WiFi in 2010. In order to further enhance customer experience, Starbucks has chosen to integrate Qi wireless charging technology from FluxPort. Starbucks installed FluxPorts in three stores in Munich; the Sendlingerstraße 27 the Arnulfstraße 32 stores as well as at the pep shopping center in Neuperlach. Using FluxPort wireless charging, Starbucks once again demonstrates their flair for innovation and mobile zeitgeist.

"Since the beginning we had this idea of drinking coffee while easily charging our smartphone at the edge of the table. Starbucks, the most successful coffee house chain in the world, supports this idea. Thus FluxPort expands its nationwide wireless charging network with an extraordinarily strong partner. Soon anyone can find their wireless charging spot at their Starbucks shop," says Sener Abanozoglu, founder and CEO of FluxPort.

"Offering wireless charging with FluxPort means to us the next logical step for a holistic customer experience," explains Hanko Geissler, Construction Manager at Starbucks who selected the Qi wireless charging technology. "With every cup of coffee we want to inspire our guests and offer a familiar place to relax and enjoy. Our partners in the coffee houses are often asked by our guests for a way to charge their mobile phones. With FluxPort wireless charging service we are pleased to offer a convenient solution and thus to make our guest's stay even more enjoyable."

FluxPort uses the Qi technology for wireless energy transfer, a standard that is supported by corporations such as IKEA, BMW, Audi, Opel, LG and Samsung. The Qi standard was established by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).

Smartphones that do not yet have integrated Qi technology can easily be equipped with the Fluxy – a Qi receiver in the form of a small chip or case. External adapters – the Fluxy Drop Universals – can be borrowed directly at the Starbucks coffee house.

"The Qi ecosystem continues to expand worldwide. The deployment of FluxPorts by Starbucks is an exciting and important step to making sure consumers in Germany are able to keep their phone charged throughout their daily journey." Said Menno Treffers, chairman of the WPC.

Starbucks is now part of the first Germany-wide wireless charging network that will help smartphone users get rid of their charging cables and stop the endless search for the next socket. There were 46 million smartphone users in Germany in April 2016. The FluxPort app shows these users exactly where to find the nearest battery refueling location. This free application for iOS and Android helps to navigate via GPS and includes all FluxPort locations across Germany with contact details, images and other information.