New in iOS 6: Passbook

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SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is bringing the iPhone a step closer to being your digital wallet with the introduction of Passbook, a new app that will be included with iOS 6. The app manages customer loyalty cards and digital tickets for services such as airlines and movie theaters, and can display the appropriate card or ticket using iOS 6’s geofencing feature.

iOS 6's Passbook may put the hurt on apps like CardStariOS 6’s Passbook may put the hurt on apps like CardStar

Starbucks customers, for example, can automatically see their digital Starbucks card on the iPhone’s lock screen by simply walking into the store. Airline tickets can appear when you get to the airport, pre-purchased Fandango movie tickets automatically when you get to the theater, and coupons for shopping loyalty cards can show up on screen when you go into a store.

Data for your Passbook accounts auto-updates in the background, so you’ll know of changes to flights, for example.

Passbook will be included with iOS 6.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference keynote event is still underway, so be sure to check back for more updates.

Jeff Gamet

Jeff Gamet

Jeff is the Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of "The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X" from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also co-hosts the We Have Communicators podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other podcasts, too. Jeff dreams in HD.

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