Could Psychic Coffee Make You Use Mobile Payments?

Mobile payments systems like Apple Pay promise to make your time at the checkout briefer, but what if they could even further accelerate the most important purchases: like that first cup of coffee in the morning? Square's new Square Order system aims to do just that, using a personalized favorites list and geolocation so that cafes and restaurants not only know what you want, but when you'll be stopping by to pick it up so that it can be ready and waiting on the counter.

The updated app keeps a list of your favorite locations, and you can scroll through them to see which is closest. Tapping into one opens up the menu, so that you can tell them in advance that you'll want, say, a large latte or a small green tea.

The order only gets placed, however, when you're physically nearby.

Square is calling it "arrival prediction" and it's effectively geolocation with some transit estimation, trying to strike a balance between not keeping you waiting when you arrive, but at the same time not leaving a drink to get cold because its been prepared too early.

What's particularly clever is how payment is also built in, so that you can effectively turn up, grab your order, and leave without having to interact with the app at all. A tip is automatically included, and Square says eventually you'll be able to modify it.

Square Order goes live in select coffee shops across San Francisco and New York today – including popular independent chain Blue Bottle – and the updated app is available for iOS and Android.

SOURCE Square