Some may say that is easy to find a Starbucks, McDonald's, or Tim Horton's in any city. One of my friends said just drive within a 1 km or 1 m radius and you'll find one.
Not that easy when you are on a business travel and needing a caffeine shot to get you going. Instead of asking for directions to the nearest coffee shop (there may not be anyone on the street), you can use your mobile instead.
This is what I do:
1. If I don't know my zip code/postal code, I'll look for a visible address and then call 411 to ask what my zip/postal code. Some of you may have a geo locator service on your mobile and that would make it easier.
2. If I'm looking for Starbucks then I just text my zip or postal code (works in the USA and Canada only as far as I know at this point) to MYSBUX (697-289) and you'll get a listing of three locations nearest you.
Simple, eh? Don't like to go to Starbucks, then use Google's SMS service instead by typing "Coffee [zip code/postal code]" to GOOGLE (466453) or GOOGL (46645) - works with either number. The result set takes a bit longer to return to you than MYSBUX but works nonetheless.
How much does it cost? What you'd normally pay your provider for receiving and sending text messages.
Another option if you don't want to use up your text messages limit: Use your phone's browser for the mobile Starbucks site (mobile.starbucks.com) and you can search by city or type in your zip/postal code.
Do you have wi-fi? Try FindbyClick's Google map mashup or Infospace's Find It! service.
Have a Blackberry? If you have not seen Caffeine Finder for Blackberry check it out. The site also has a Fast Food Finder free download.
You can't text message or don't know how to? Fear not, you can call 1-800-235-2883 (1-800-be-latte) to locate a store. Don't want to type or have a headset because you're driving and calling this number? Just keep pressing the # sign until you get an operator who will locate it for you.
Other mashups and tips you can share in finding that much needed caffeine boost especially when you're on the road? Post it here.
Comments (2)
Why do we need an article to tell us how to find the nearest Starbucks? Don't we really need is to open a window and piss out it, seeing where the wind takes it?
Posted by uglor | January 15, 2008 6:15 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 18:15
What we really need are less comments of this nature
Posted by james | January 15, 2008 6:47 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 18:47