There has been quite the buzz this week about Starbuck’s new applications for the iPhone. For all my fellow java addicts out there, these apps will make it easier to get your fix. The applications will be free to download and some of the features include:

• A locator to find nearby stores and bookmark them for later
• A flavor selector and nutrition info to help you find the perfect drink
• A place to store your favorite coffee recipes and share them with friends

They are also testing a Starbucks Card mobile application at selected stores in California. It will work just like a regular card that you can add credit to. When you are purchasing a drink, you can turn your app on and the store will scan the bar code right from your phone or iPod.

Other food establishments such as Pizza Hut have also created applications that allow you to place your pizza and wings order from your phone. This app has already exceeded 100,000 downloads and you can receive a 20 percent discount for using it.

Some argue that these applications are promoting people to be lazy and avoid human interaction. What do you think? Would you use these applications? I feel they are a cool concept, but I am not sure I would use them. It seems just as easy to pick up the phone and order a pizza. Although, I would be interested in a Starbucks app that let you place your drink order before arriving at the store. As for the mobile card, I think it would be easier to swipe a card then have to take out my iPod, open the application and have it scanned. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see the effect these new technologies have on our culture. There truly is an app for everything these days, now let’s see how people use them!