NEW YORK (TheStreet) - Starbucks (SBUX) had customers in a frenzy since yesterday, following the delayed release of its updated mobile app for Apple (AAPL) iPhone. Starbucks fans have no fear, the app is here.
The Seattle-based coffee chain announced the updated app as part of its investor day yesterday. Among other changes, the new version of the app allowed for digital tipping. Starbucks chief digital officer Adam Brotman had written in a blog post last week that the new app would be available on March 19. Yet, as of Thursday morning, the updated app still wasn't available - and customers were cranky. "To prepare for this update, make sure you know your account password and set a reminder to download or update the new Starbucks for iPhone app on March 19," Brotman wrote.
Brotman separately mentioned that Starbucks would be bringing alcohol to its stores in limited capacity, noting the company had been testing alcohol sales in select stores, and the tests were positive.
Starbucks spokeswoman Maggie Jantzen confirmed at 1:30 pm EST that the app was now working. "We did just learn that the App is now live and working its way to iPhone users. We know Apple's delivery system was offline which caused a delay, but beyond that don't have any additional [information]," Jantzen wrote in an email to TheStreet. 
Starbucks blamed Apple iTunes for the delay. "Apple's iTunes delivery system for apps is currently offline causing the launch of our new Starbucks App for iPhone to be delayed," Jantzen wrote in an email this morning. "We're looking forward to sharing it with our customers and partners (employees) soon." Starbucks customers had taken to social media to ask the coffee chain where the new app is. Starbucks' social media team has responded to a flurry of tweets, saying it would be available in the iTunes app store soon. TheStreet has yet to hear back from Apple on what exactly caused the problem. Other new features in the app will include a "shake to pay" option, where customers, while in the app, can "shake your phone and your registered Starbucks Card will appear, ready to scan," the blog stated. The newest app version will also have easier access to a user's account information, it stated. Most importantly, a Google (GOOG) Android version is coming soon, the company says. --Written by Laurie Kulikowski in New York. Follow @LKulikowski
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