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 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.