CPQ News - Compaq to Equip Starbucks Shops
dailynews.yahoo.com
HOUSTON (AP) - Compaq Computer Corp. and Starbucks Coffee Co. announced Tuesday a five-year, $100 million deal in which Compaq will equip the coffee shop chain to give its customers wireless Internet access while they sip their Caffe Latte.
Houston-based Compaq said it is supplying Starbucks with iPAQ handheld computers and other equipment to give customers high-speed, wireless Internet access in its North American stores.
``The plan is, you'll be able to enjoy a pretty exciting wireless experience, with equipment on site to connect with that,'' Compaq executive vice president Peter Blackmore said. ``And if you already have equipment on hand, you'll be able to connect with that.''
Compaq, in partnership with Microsoft, already has equipped 100 Starbucks stores in Dallas, San Francisco, New York and Seattle and expects to have fitted 500 by midsummer. The effort broadens across the country during the second half of 2001, Blackmore said.
Starbucks customers with wireless-enabled handheld personal computers can access the Internet through a local network picked up over the airwaves in each store.
``It's as simple as any other connection,'' Blackmore said.
The deal also allows Compaq to be the preferred provider of other Starbucks computers, whether in their 4,100 worldwide stores or at the chain's Seattle headquarters.
``Starbucks chose to partner with Compaq to leverage the power of two great brands as we enhance our customers' in-store experience through leading-edge technology,'' Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz said. |
