Starbucks’ “Picks of the Week” offer free entertainment you can pick up during your library coffee break. (Photo by Sarah Adkins).Luke Richey - Contributorlrichey@uab.edu
Starbucks offers students their “Starbucks Picks of the Week,” which can give thrills, helpful tips and between-class entertainment. To access the content, connect to Starbucks’ free Wi-Fi, click into the Starbucks Digital Network, select “Pick of the Week Promotion” and click the “Get it free on iTunes” icon. You can also find the “Starbucks Picks of the Week” in the Sterne Library location that feature the apps and episodes and instructions to access them.
The Starbucks television episode pick that I checked out, “Xtreme WaterParks: Building the World’s Tallest,” was a fascinating and in-depth look at the production of some of the largest water thrill rides on the planet. Focusing on the brainchild of Jeff Henry, “Verrukt” (which is German for insane), “Xtreme WaterParks” plunged the viewer into the background of the largest waterslide the world has ever seen and kept my heart in my throat with close-up camera angles and steep drops.
The episode follows Jeff Henry, the co-owner of Schlitterbahn Water Parks, and his journey to build this massive summer splashdown. By the project’s finish, “Verrukt” became a Guinness World Record holder at 168 feet tall with a 60 degree initial drop. The episode also makes sure to mention that “Verrukt” is the first water slide to ever need restraints.
I give this Starbucks Pick an A plus.
One of Starbucks app picks, Green Kitchen, provides healthy new recipes for varying dietary preferences. The app has an easy-to-read format and includes everything from vegetarian delights to gluten-free shakes.
The only problem that I have with this Starbucks Pick is that there are two exclusive recipe bundles, Smoothies Reinvented and Green and Clean, that both cost 99 cents to gain access to; if these were exclusive Steak n’ Shake recipes, I’d probably be more interested in forking up the money for the access. My overall grade would be an A.
har.mo.ny 2 is another Starbucks app pick. This app is designed to be a relaxing brain game including moving blocks of harmonious color palettes. Through headphones I became mesmerized by the music just on the opening screen.
For gameplay, your job is to put the color palettes back together in their correct spot. Gameplay-wise, I’d probably give it a B plus because I got bored after the third level. For music and stress relief, I give this app an A. This app is best for waiting at the doctor’s office or waiting for a computer to open up at Sterne.
