Apple unveils Passbook app for iOS6 turning iPhone into mobile wallet

Integrated into iOS 6, due for launch this autumn

Apple unveiled the new app at the company’s annual World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) and claims it can turn a phone into an electronic wallet by storing e-documents which use on-screen barcodes such as electronic tickets, passes and vouchers. The app is integrated into iOS 6, Apples latest platform for iPhone and iPad due to be launched in autumn, and enables users to store virtual documents such as loyalty cards, boarding passes, cinema and concert tickets in one place on the smartphone device. Incorporating geolocation technology, the app automatically retrieves the necessary e-document and displays it on the device screen when required. For example, the app will detect if you are at the airport at automatically display your boarding pass on your devices screen, or, if you’re entering a store, it would retrieve your virtual store card which could then be used to redeem loyalty points or make purchases.

Passbook takes all of these passes and combines them together in one place, and integrates it right into the OS, and they are beautiful,” said Scott Forstall, SVP of iOS software at Apple. 

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