Will You Buy Coffee With Your Smartphone?

Dunkin' Donuts announced Thursday that it is making life a little easier for its customers by introducing a new mobile pay app. 

According to an article on Boston.com, the app will be similar to a plastic gift card in that users use and can reload their virtual gift card account to pay for their morning (or anytime) coffee and treat. Customers will show a barcode on their iPhones, iPads or Android devices that employees will then scan for payment. The app will also include nutrition facts, a menu and store locator.

Erik Thoresen, a food industry analyst at Chicago-based Technomic, said in the Associated Press story that Dunkin’s announcement is part of an industry trend to combine payment, gift cards and loyalty programs. Overall, consumers are less afraid to use mobile phones for payment these days, he said, noting that the number of mobile bankers has increased.

But, according to Mashable.com, what might allow Dunkin Donut's to one-up competitor Starbucks, who is already using this technology, is giving Dunkin' customers the option to gift coffee to their coworkers, friends and family, to and from their smartphones. The Dunkin’ app allows customers to use text, email and Facebook to send $2 to $100 to buy Dunkin’ goods.

What do you think? Is this technology necessary? Will you use the Dunkin' Donuts app to fuel your coffee addiction? Are you already using it at Starbucks?

Tell us in the comments section below why you will or won't use the Dunkin' Donuts app for purchases.