Mobile Payments Today has a history of singing the praises of the Starbucks mobile payment app. And now what is arguably the world's most popular mobile payment method (more than 26 million transactions and counting) is even more convenient. Starbucks has released an updated version of its mobile payment app and made some changes to its in-store POS systems to make it even easier for users to get their coffee fix.

Released last week, Starbucks' new version of its mobile payment app has some fancy new features including plug-ins for social media and a section to learn about Starbucks' coffee blends, drinks and food. But most importantly, the new version has improved the auto-reload feature and added PayPal as a payment source to replenish funds on autoreload. (Look! PayPal's available at another retailer!)

As nice as those updates are, an even bigger change is that Starbucks is updating its POS at drive-thru windows to enable mobile acceptance, the company said. (That's been a hit or miss affair depending upon store location and, sometimes, barrista willingness.)

In a post on the company's blog, Dana Kruse, Starbucks' category manager for mobile, said the implementation of a solution at the drive-thru "took a few more considerations than it did inside the store."

"(W)e needed something that would allow you to perform the scan yourself, rather than handing your phone over to us," Kruse said. (Handing one's phone through a window to even the most well-meaning barrista has always been an interaction tinged with uncertainty.)

"Plus, we needed a scanner that would still provide a smooth experience when the weather acts up and at night when it’s harder to see, and one that you could comfortably reach from various car heights," Kruse added.

No timeline is mentioned in Kruse's post for when the solution will be rolled out. Pictures of the solution and additional information will be added when we get it.

Now if only Starbucks could address the lack of support at airport locations. (Please?)

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