ASUS refunding Nexus 7 owners in Europe for purchases prior to price drop

Europeans who picked up a 16GB Nexus 7 before Google dropped the price of the tablet on October 29th are being treated to a refund courtesy of ASUS. Those that purchased the slate directly from ASUS or Google are eligible to receive a €30 voucher provided they register their purchase a provide a receipt showing the date of the transaction.

Users are eligible to apply for a voucher through November 30th with funds expiring on December 31st. There is no word from ASUS as to whether or not a similar program will be implemented in other regions, particularly the US. Google is already taking a big enough hit on the Nexus 7 given its US pricing (in Europe, the exchange rates have the tablet selling for slightly higher), so refunds for American customers don’t seem likely.

[via The Verge]

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Starbucks begins offering Square Wallet purchases from today

Starbucks Offers Square Wallet Beginning Today

Starbucks extends mobile payment choice and convenience to its customers at participating U.S. stores

SEATTLE, November 8, 2012 – Starting today, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) will begin accepting Square's mobile payment application, Square Wallet, in participating U.S. company-operated locations. With Square Wallet, Starbucks is giving customers another way to enjoy a quick, seamless payment experience at approximately 7,000 Starbucks stores.

With Square Wallet people can pay at Starbucks and explore nearby businesses, browse menu information, store hours and transaction history, all on their phone. Square Wallet is in addition to Starbucks own mobile payment applications on iOS and Android™, which are used by Starbucks customers more than 2 million times each week, and are fully integrated with the Starbucks Card and My Starbucks Rewards™ programs.

"We look forward to continuing to create amazing connections with our customers – both in our stores and outside of our stores and offering our customers choices in how they want to pay. Starbucks was the first national retailer to offer its own mobile payment technology combined with a world-class loyalty program in January 2011, and we have seen a tremendous response from our customers with more than 100 million mobile transactions occurring in our U.S. stores since its launch," said Adam Brotman, Starbucks chief digital officer. "Starbucks believes in the values and vision of Square, and just three months after announcing our partnership with Square, we are thrilled to make the convenience of paying with the Square Wallet app available to our customers starting today."

Customers simply download Square Wallet to their iOS or Android™ device to set up an account. Square Wallet is linked to their debit or credit card, so there is never a need to reload a balance. Customers tap "pay here" and scan their QR code – similar to the customer experience on the existing Starbucks mobile payment applications. Their digital receipt appears instantly.

"Square Wallet gives Starbucks customers a way to discover small businesses in their neighborhood," said William Henderson, Square Wallet director. "We're excited to work with Starbucks to introduce a broad new group of people to the benefits of using Square."

The Starbucks Digital Network in Starbucks stores will feature the Square directory so customers can discover neighborhood businesses near their favorite Starbucks store.

Note: Customers should be running iOS 5.0 or above or Android 2.2 or above on their mobile device to be able to use Square Wallet.

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