What is Passbook?

Passbook will be one of the new built-in apps for Apple’s iOS 6 and iPhone 5 update to be released on Wednesday, September 19th. The new iPhone Passbook app will let you store airline boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, gift cards and loyalty cards.  iOS 6 Passbook will basically function as your own mobile digital wallet, providing storage for almost all your digital data.

One of the coolest Passbook features is that it is time and location aware.  So not only can you store your gift cards, coupons and boarding passes on your iPhone’s Passbook app, but they will pop up automatically on your lock screen when you in close distance to the airport or retail store.  Many airlines already have apps where you can check in and store boarding passes, but the iOS 6 Passbook will also dynamically update with gate changes and flight delays in real time.  Passbook can even bring you to your seat at a concert or sports game when you store your tickets with the application.

However, Passbook will not include a near field communications chip (NFC), so you would be able to use the app as a credit or debit card where scanners can easily swipe your iPhone screen for payment.  But it’s only a matter of time before that technology is released.

iOS 6 Passbook Partners

Several companies are looking to integrate with the new iPhone and iOS 6 Passbook app.  Some partners that have already been announced on Apple’s website include Fandago, Target, Delta, American Airlines, Ticketmaster, Starbucks, W Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, and Starwood Hotels.

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Read more about the airlines that work with Passbook