There’s a post over at Lifehacker describing how you can use a mobile phone to find the nearest Starbucks. You can either text your zip code to MYSBUX ( 697289) or use your phone’s browser to go to mobile.starbucks.com. Not that it’s hard to find a Starbucks, and those who frequent there generally know where all of the local stores are anyway. I can see this being really useful, however, for travelers who are not familiar with the local area. If you know the zip code you’re in, you can find the nearest Starbucks.
I’m not a coffee drinker, but this interests me because library patrons can benefit from the same type of service. Here in Ohio, OPLIN has launched a mobile interface to find the nearest public library. Just go to www.oplin.org/mobile on your phone and plug in a zip code. It even lists the closest branch of a library. It would be great if a service like this could take advantage of the GPS in some phones so that a zip code isn’t needed. And how about a Google Map mashup to plot the closest libraries and give driving directions to them?
