• November 10, 2011

On Nov. 15, Starbucks will launch its first major augmented reality app, reports Mashable.

U.S. customers who point their iPhone or Android devices at the chain's holiday cups -- or 47 other objects in its stores, such as coffee bags -- will see animations featuring characters such as an ice skater, a squirrel, a boy and dog sledding and a fox appear on their screens. Users can also interact with the characters. (The Canadian version of the app is iPhone-only.)

The app also includes social and traditional sharing capabilities, so that users can send e-cards and holiday offers from Starbucks.