Author Archives: Alyssa DelPrete

Starbucks to Offer Wireless Cell Phone Charging

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve been accused of having a slightly-obsessive attachment to my cell phone, and justifiably so. It’s the first item I grab when leaving a room, and it typically sits dutifully by my side wherever I’m at. So when I glimpse the battery icon flashing red, warning of its imminent death, I hope that I’m near an outlet to charge it back to life.

Starbucks understands this dilemma. The world’s largest coffee-shop operator is taking it a step further by offering customers the ability to wirelessly recharge their mobile devices, forgoing the hassle of finding an outlet to plug phone chargers into.

Starbucks is teaming with Duracell Powermat to provide this convenient service. Customers will be able to set their cell phones on Powermat Spots located on the counters and tables to charge their devices. The coffee-selling chain has continuously worked to create an ideal atmosphere for customers to encourage them to prolong their stay. In 2010, Starbucks began offering free Internet and has recently looked into a service allowing customers to order items on their phone ahead of time.

No longer will coffee lovers have to hunt down outlets to save their phones from demise. We cell phone enthusiasts will be able to enjoy our coffee in peace, comforted by the steadily-refilling battery.

Opportunity Ahead: A Summer at the Indiana Chamber

Posted on by
Reply

About three years ago, I made the decision to attend Hanover College—which is a little under five hours’ driving distance from my hometown of Mishawaka on a good day—where I will be a senior next year. I have again temporarily relocated from home to be in Indianapolis this summer for a communications internship with the Indiana Chamber.

Upon arriving home after completing the first day of my internship at the Chamber, my immediate task was to call my dad and relay to him the details of my initial experiences. As anticipated, he was overjoyed to learn that I considered the day to be a success and was looking forward to the days to come. He then predictably delivered a well-intentioned lecture, advising me to make the most out of this opportunity.

My dad (manager of a family-owned company based in Elkhart, Indiana) was the one who encouraged me to join my college’s business program to supplement my English major. To my surprise, I’ve largely enjoyed my business courses as much as or even more than many of my literature-based English classes. I have quickly realized that my two interests—writing and business—can create a happy union.

My summer internship here at the Chamber is a perfect example of the potential marriage of my interests. I’m excited to learn more about business while utilizing and improving my writing skills. As a college student planning on remaining and working in Indiana post-graduation next year, I look forward to learning about business in Indiana in particular. Who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to inform my business-savvy dad about a thing or two that he isn’t already aware of.