Understanding the Passbook API

With Apple making huge headlines in the news recently, and with its stock price reaching an all time high, many have started to talk about the new iPhone 5 and iOS6.  Passbook is one of the apps for iOS6 that will come out around September 12 along with the new iPhone.  Many people have already begun distributing sample Passbook passes, which all seems very cool.  But when Passbook actually is available for public use, businesses will be wondering how they could start creating and distributing their own passes through Passbook.  This is all possible with the Passbook API.

To begin with, an API represents Application Programming Interface.  In non-techy terms, this interface is a set of codes and languages that allows for other applications, websites, or devices to use another program's functions.  Essentially, the API for a program, app, or software allows another source to interface with it.

To illustrate, let's look at Tumblr.  Tumblr is a website that allows people to post blogs, pictures, videos, and just about anything to personalize their own blog page.  Initially, Tumblr began as a website and solely as a website, meaning users would have to log on to the domain and publish posts from there.  But with the adoption and growing popularity of mobile devices, many want to access these blogs on the go.  Tumblr now has various apps on smartphones and tablet devices so users don't have to go directly to the website to use its services.  This is all possible because Tumblr released its API for developers to create another platform to access all of Tumblr's functions.  This communication from app to domain and back to Tumblr's back end systems is from the API.  

APIs allows for the filtering of programs from one source to another, via apps, software, mobile devices, or web browsers.  The unique feature of APIs is that it is doesn't only allow product A to go through product B.  Developers can build and extend upon the API and create innovative ways to use the product.  They can choose to add additional features to the framework that the API originally sets.  This is why many APIs are unique as developers use it to add more functionality and enhancements.

Going back to Passbook, it's now easier to understand the importance of an API.  Passbook will store digitalized passes in one app.  The channel that allows for people to create Passbook passes, distribute them to users, and update them accordingly is the Passbook API. The proper languages allow for Passbook to communicate with other sources so that users can actually generate passes and have them open and be stored in Passbook.  

So having an understanding of what components are needed to use Passbook for business or personal use is the first step.  The second step is to equip yourself or your business with the right tools and resources so that you can efficiently create, distribute, and manage Passbook passes.  Passk.it is one of those companies that will provide all the aforementioned capabilities.  You can check out their website here and prepare yourself for one of Apple's greatest, game-changing mobile apps of the decade.

Create Passbook Barcodes without iOS6

We hear about Passbook and all of its features, but many of us don't have Apple developer accounts so we can't download iOS6 beta and test out Passbook passes.  Fortunately, we've found that PassK.it has launched a Passbook Barcode Generator that allows everyone, even those without Passbook, to start creating barcodes that will appear on Passbook passes.

If you're a business who is already distributing cards or tickets with barcodes embedded on them, you're familiar with what they contain.  Essentially, barcodes can store just about any information, from numbers to links to text.  Every barcode can be created so that it is unique, like for a membership card or movie ticket.  It is up to the issuing agency, or business, to determine what information to store in the barcode and whether it is individually based or generic (coupon).

PassK.it’s barcode generator is an easy way to start generating barcodes and testing out scanning devices at your vendor or point-of-sale.   The first step is to decide what text to encode.  It could be a simple message or a website, like passk.it.  This is what will appear on the scanning device when the barcode is scanned.  The next step would be determining the 2D barcode type, because iPhone screens are capable of reading only those.  These include Aztec, PDF417, and QR codes.  Finally, to create the Passbook barcode, choose the resolution of your iPhone, whether it is a 3GS or Retina display for iPhone 4 and 4S.  Once everything is selected, save the image and use a scanner app or device to scan the barcode.  PassK.it has also released a video demo on how to create Passbook pass barcodes without iOS6 to supplement their tool.

The Passbook Barcode Generator is PassK.it's way of allowing for consumers and businesses to prepare for Passbook.  By creating barcodes today, merchants can test out current scanners and determine whether an upgrade is needed, or if it works perfectly now.  Staff members can be trained and familiarized with these barcodes that will appear on Passbook passes so that they can be experts when accepting future Passbook passes.

It's imperative to start preparing for Passbook before it comes out, and the barcode generator is just that tool that helps businesses start equipping themselves for the digital pass system of the century.

Passbook iOS6 and the Acceptance of Mobile Payments

Gone are the days where we carry around bulky wallets and expired coupons from 1999.  In around September/October of 2012, Apple will be publicly releasing Passbook, a native app for iOS6 devices.  It is a digital wallet that stores tickets, cards, coupons, and other passes in one clean, easy to use app. Users are given easy accessibility as all Passbook items are categorised in an orderly manner, and browsing through to locate the right pass is simple to do.

We live in an era where the use of smartphones is dominant, and it is through these devices that people can now check their e-mails, browse the web, play games, and some even support mobile payments.  The versatility one receives from a single device is phenomenal.  Certainly, it will take time for consumers to completely accept using mobile payments through their smartphones, but Passbook coming into the market could eventually lead to an acceptance of mobile payments.

For retailers in the business of distributing tickets, coupons, or loyalty cards who want to create Passbook passes would definitely benefit from Passbook.  Using Passbook at work would lessen printing costs as all passes would be digitalised, and updating the passes wouldn't require reprints either.  Using Passbook at your point-of-sale would also increase transaction efficiency as users no longer have to fumble through their wallets searching for the right card.  It would simply appear on their lock screens ready to use.  

One of Passbook's largest features is its time and location enabled capabilities.  This allows for real time messages and alerts to a consumer's device.  For example, if an individual walks into your outlet, their store card would appear right on their lock screens, garnering them easy access to the card.  The mere presence of the card on their lock screen already is an encourager to spend at your outlet because it didn't require any effort from the consumer at all.  If a consumer is walking around a particular district, they could be notified of certain promotional deals based on their location.  A casual window shopper could easily turn into a buyer through these powerful geofencing tactics.  

Apple's Passbook is undoubtedly a large step into mobile payments.  By the time of its release, if more retailers begin creating and distributing Passbook passes efficiently, there's no telling how this could transform the mobile payments industry in the long run.

Businesses Should Offer Passbook Passes

Passbook Features

With the impending release of Passbook with iOS6 this fall, people have already begun talking about it and looking for places to create Passbook passes.  Passbook will be a native app for iOS6 and will serve as a mobile wallet that stores all your coupons, tickets, store cards, and passes.  It bundles everything up in one easy to use interface and categorizes each pass accordingly.

One of the most prominent features of Passbook is its time and location enabled settings.  To illustrate, when a customer steps into a movie theatre, their ticket would appear right on their lock screen.  Passbook can recognise a user's location and have the relevant pass appear at the right time.  In addition, if your flight is delayed, a push notification is sent to the device informing the user of the change, and the pass is updated dynamically to reflect the new time.  

Passbook for Business

Customer service will reach new heights.  Real-time communication from Passbook will strengthen the business to consumer relationship as firms can provide updated  news and information on their goods and services instantaneously.  For example, a client could receive an alert of a 10% discount if she is in the district of a particular outlet.  The fact that businesses can leverage geotargeting to their advantages is a very powerful mobile marketing tool.

Firms also no longer have to incur additional printing costs for various passes.  Tickets, coupons, and cards wouldn't require printing if they are all digitalized.  In fact, updating these passes wouldn't require reprints too, and users can easily download Passbook passes.  Transactions are carried out more efficiently and at the consumer's convenience.

Because Passbook does not store credit card information, it's not a complete mobile payment system.  However, the introduction of Passbook to consumers is a gradual step into mobile payments and could eventually lead to an adoption of mobile payments in the future, especially if Apple adopts NFC into its devices.

It is the perfect time to equip your business and become Passbook ready.   Start to create Passbook passes because the benefits to the business and consumer are massive.  There's no telling how this will magnify when Passbook is officially released.