Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Products

Order coffee like royalty with the app that lets you stride to the front of the line

Malarie Gokey
By

Square Order app
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Earlier today, thanks to Square’s new Order app, I got the fastest cup of coffee in my life.

I walked into Ports Coffee & Teas here in midtown Manhattan, a barista at the counter greeted me by name, and off I went with my coffee. It was bizarrely personal and absolutely effortless. I didn’t have to stand in line, pull out my wallet, or even show my phone to the cashier.

Recommended Videos

Of course, there was some prep work. Before I got there, I opened up the new Square Order app, placed an order for a small cappuccino and a scone from Ports Coffee & Teas Co. down the street, and as soon as I started walking toward the coffee shop, the app alerted the baristas. The barista started making my cappuccino as soon as I was one minute away from the shop. As I walked in, Square Order told me my order was ready. The barista at the counter greeted me by name and asked me which flavor scone I wanted, handed me my coffee, and I left. I didn’t even have to pull out my credit card or any form of ID.

Here’s how it works: First, you set up a Square account and add a debit card for payments. Square Order will ask you  to take a selfie so the barista can recognize you when you walk in the door. Then, the app will determine your location and recommend the coffee shop that’s closest to you. If you don’t like that particular establishment, Square Order will show you all the other coffee shops near you. The closest ones will be listed first along with the amount of time it will take you to walk there and the hours of operation. Once you choose a cafe, you can browse through their tea and coffee menu until you find your beverage of choice. Some places even offer pastries and food for preorder.

Some restaurants and cafes already offer a similar service with their own dedicated apps, but Square’s Order app adds a personal touch and is tailored to suit your needs. Hopefully Square will extend this great new feature to other restaurants and cafes for all kinds of foods.

Related

You can download the app for iOS or Android now from the links on Square Order’s website.

Editors' Recommendations

Malarie Gokey
Malarie Gokey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…
Visible’s affordable 5G plans just got even cheaper
The Visible logo on a smartphone.

Visible has a new offer that can help you save significant money when switching to its service. Both Visible and Visible+ packages are now available for purchase upfront on an annual basis. These new annual plans are available for new Visible customers starting today, while existing customers will gain access to them this May.

With this new deal, the Visible+ plan costs $395 per year when paid upfront instead of $540 when paid in 12 monthly installments of $45 each. This means you can save $145, which is 26%. That's an incredible savings. When paying upfront for the regular Visible plan, it will cost $275 per year, saving you $25. If you pay for it monthly, the standard Visible plan costs $25 per month (or $300 per year).

Read more
iPhone SE 4: news, rumored price, release date, and more
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Apple iPhone SE (2020) together.

While the spotlight always seems to be on Apple’s mainline iPhones, the iPhone SE is a great pick for those who are on a budget. If you want an iPhone that doesn't break the bank, the SE is the way to go.

The original iPhone SE came out in 2016, and then Apple revamped it in 2020 and 2022 by giving it some more modern hardware. The iPhone SE tends to get updated every two or so years rather than annually like the traditional iPhone. This means  that we should see a new iPhone SE 4 this year, but it’s not so cut-and-dried with this particular model.

Read more
Hurry! This Apple Watch just had its price slashed to $189
The app grid view on the Apple Watch SE 2.

For great smartwatch deals, head to Amazon immediately. Today, it has the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) for $60 off bringing it down to just $189 from $249. A fantastic price for an exceptionally well-made smartwatch, this tops our list of the best Apple deals right now. If you’re keen to buy a watch that will motivate you to move more while also looking good, check it out by tapping the button below. Alternatively, read on while we explain all.

Why you should buy the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen)
One of the best smartwatches around, the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) is best described as “simple, cheap, and brilliant”. It’s designed to help you exercise more effectively, while keeping connected with your digital life, and also staying safe.

Read more