Get A Free iPhone App At Starbucks Starting Tuesday, Aug. 23

Coffee drinkers who enjoy visiting Starbucks in University Place and the Tacoma area can get a free iPhone app - beginning Tuesday at U.S.-operated and certain licensed stores, the company announced Monday.

The free iPhone app is part of Starbucks and iTunes expanded "Pick of the Week" program. Shazam Encore will be the first app available for free to people who visit Starbucks and get a "Pick of the Week" card, company spokeswoman Lily Gluzberg said in an email.

The Shazam Encore app helps people identify songs they hear as well as provide tour information and recommendations, she said. A lifetime subscription to Shazam Encore costs $5.99. 

The app includes an option to share the music through Facebook and Twitter, she added. It also has a feature called LyricPlay, which gives the words to the song. The app can be used on the iPad and iPod Touch.

Next week's app, which will be available on Tuesday, Aug. 30, will be SPY mouse from Firemint and Electronic Arts, Gluzberg said.

University Place has three Starbucks locations: The at Green Firs Village, the one off 27th Street West and the one near Tacoma Community College.

The "Pick of the Week" program also will begin featuring extended samples of books available on the iBookstore, television shows and other offerings from iTunes, Gluzberg said. "Pick of the Week" content is selected especially for Starbucks customers.

Editor's note: John Cook of GeekWire.com pointed out the free app program on Aug. 16. Patch.com is a partner with Starbucks.