Latest Apple Store app update brings Passbook and Siri support
Apple on Wednesday released an update to its iOS Apple Store app, adding support for the iOS 6 digital coupon and gift card management software Passbook, as well as integration with Siri.
The update comes less than a month after it was reported that changes were being made to the EasyPay point-of-sale system used in all brick-and-mortar Apple Stores, with the upgrades rumored to be in preparation of support for Passbook-based purchases.
According to the release notes, users will be able to purchase gift cards and email them to friends and family directly from the Apple Store app. Upon receiving the email, the digital cards can be stored in Passbook for use at one of Apple's retail locations.
At the time of this writing, the Apple Gift Cards were not yet available through the app, and a search for "gift card" brought limited results for App Store, iTunes, and iBooks cards, all of which are offered only with physical delivery options. It is unclear when Apple will activate the gift giving service.
The update also brought integration with Apple's Siri virtual assistant, which opens the Apple Store app when questions about price and availability are asked. For example, the question, "How much is an iPhone 5" opens the app directly to the dedicated iPhone page.
The iOS Apple Store app is a free 6.0MB download that can be found in the iOS App Store or iTunes.
The update comes less than a month after it was reported that changes were being made to the EasyPay point-of-sale system used in all brick-and-mortar Apple Stores, with the upgrades rumored to be in preparation of support for Passbook-based purchases.
According to the release notes, users will be able to purchase gift cards and email them to friends and family directly from the Apple Store app. Upon receiving the email, the digital cards can be stored in Passbook for use at one of Apple's retail locations.
At the time of this writing, the Apple Gift Cards were not yet available through the app, and a search for "gift card" brought limited results for App Store, iTunes, and iBooks cards, all of which are offered only with physical delivery options. It is unclear when Apple will activate the gift giving service.
The update also brought integration with Apple's Siri virtual assistant, which opens the Apple Store app when questions about price and availability are asked. For example, the question, "How much is an iPhone 5" opens the app directly to the dedicated iPhone page.
The iOS Apple Store app is a free 6.0MB download that can be found in the iOS App Store or iTunes.
Comments
But it took too long for Apple to organize it, there were very few apps at launch, and there were no clear instructions on how to use it. In particular, if you didn't already use the few apps available at launch, it was very difficult to figure out how Passport worked.
That said, Apple really should have had Passport built into the iOS 6 App Store app at launch, if for no other reason than to show Apple customers how the thing worked -- you know, by the Apple employees in the Apple store when you bought your iPhone 5, or stopped in to see the iPhone 5.
Could this be another reason Scott Forstall is no longer running anything?
Excellent points.
There have been many great ideas that haven't taken off in the market because they were poorly executed and/or marketed. As much potential as Passbook has it doesn't seem to be widely known, used or even understood by most with iOS 6 installed. Despite that, it has great potential for Apple as one part of service for replacing cash and plastic in our wallets. Another part of this is the Apple Store app that will charge your iTunes Store account for purchases. Put these two together with merchant support and they could change the world again.
PS: Some issues I have is that Passbook is too dumb. If I use my Starbucks pass and then stay in the store reading/studying the pass will pop back up repeatedly. If I've recently used it or have already ignored it then it needs to go silent for reasonable time frame. Also, I need to be able to set the pass to not work for certain times of the day. If I'm driving by a Starbucks at 11pm at night it shouldn't be popping up. They could at least go by the store hours but having something you can set would be better.
I hope in iOS 7 app developers will be able to develop their apps to add functionality to Siri.
Just a silly example: A 'Random Facts' app allowing you to ask Siri to give you a random fact.
Or a more sensible one: 'My Vodafone' (an app that lets you see how much data allowance you've used, etc.) allowing you to ask Siri how many minutes, texts or how much data you have left.
Is that the brilliant idea that has less than 12 apps that support it?
Such a freakin waste. Maps, no biggie- I actually much much prefer it. Passbook.... What a joke- worst execution I've seen on iOS yet- by a mile.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andysol
What's passbook?
Who cares? Know what I mean?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andysol
Passbook.... What a joke- worst execution I've seen on iOS yet- by a mile.
Why? I think the execution is not the problem. Lack of support is, for the moment. A virtual wallet like that is going to be obligatory in a few years. Maybe now is a bit early, but why not? It's really practical.
'Lack of support' is part of 'lack of execution'.
Passbook -- in its current form -- is dumb, as has been noted. Period.
For me, execution means the way the app works and is programmed, and has nothing to do with lack of support.
But if you call it dumb there must be something else, no? I don't think it's dumb.
The execution anantksundaram mentions is part of how this app works. It is inherently tied to other companies and other apps. It's a service, so if the service tie in is poor executed then no matter how good the code is within the app it's going to fail because it needs 3rd parties to join in and users benefit from that. The cool shredding effect of passes isn't going to save it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anantksundaram
'Lack of support' is part of 'lack of execution'.
Passbook -- in its current form -- is dumb, as has been noted. Period.
This
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
The execution anantksundaram mentions is part of how this app works. It is inherently tied to other companies and other apps. It's a service, so if the service tie in is poor executed then no matter how good the code is within the app it's going to fail because it needs 3rd parties to join in and users benefit from that. The cool shredding effect of passes isn't going to save it.
Exactly. It is a brilliant concept and idea- but they should have partnered up prior to launch with dozens (not just 4 or 5) companies. You think iTunes would have been successful if they didn't have any deals in place beforehand?
Very disappointed that the app is still not universal or even works in landscape mode...
Note to Apple: Apple, you sell iPads and Smart Covers... The Smart Cover has this feature that allows you to raise the back portion up when in landscape mode which makes it easier to use... Your Apple Store app doesn't support landscape mode (and isn't a Universal app, either)... There are features available in the app that aren't available on the web site... The iPad is considered a mobile device... Right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andysol
[...] It is a brilliant concept and idea- but they should have partnered up prior to launch with dozens (not just 4 or 5) companies. You think iTunes would have been successful if they didn't have any deals in place beforehand?
LOL! You nailed it.
"Here's iTunes!"
"What does it do?"
"You can use it to buy stuff."
"What kind of stuff?"
"You'll see."
"How do I buy this stuff?"
"We can't tell you yet, but trust us, it'll be cool!"
[Insert sound of app dropping into Trash]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
The execution anantksundaram mentions is part of how this app works. It is inherently tied to other companies and other apps. It's a service, so if the service tie in is poor executed then no matter how good the code is within the app it's going to fail because it needs 3rd parties to join in and users benefit from that. The cool shredding effect of passes isn't going to save it.
Understood. I'm saying, give it more time. It just officially came out.