Politico uses Apple's Wallet to distribute breaking 'Brexit' news

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone edited June 2016
Political publication Politico is testing out a highly unorthodox news delivery method that leverages Wallet passes to keep readers up to date on the latest poll results and news from Britain's vote to leave the European Union. And it seems to be working.




Apple designed Apple Wallet (n?e Passbook) to provide iOS device users easy access to credit and debit cards, coupons, boarding passes and tickets, but Politico Europe's EU Referendum Tracker uses the platform for something completely different: a single topic news feed.

As noted by Nieman Lab, using Wallet as a notification platform allows Politico to deliver news without the overhead of developing and maintaining a standalone app. The publication also has an iOS app in the App Store with full support for push notifications, but Wallet comes with unique advantages.

For example, instead of unlocking their iPhone and opening Politico's dedicated app, readers have direct access to Brexit polls and breaking news directly from the lock screen. A double-press of the home button brings up a Wallet's card interface, where the EU Referendum Tracker pass shows a Brexit poll graph and statistics.

Tapping on the small "i" icon in the lower right flips the pass over to reveal an informational section populated by breaking news and an option to turn off automatic updates. Hyperlinks included in breaking coverage are not accessible via Wallet's lock screen view.

"We thought Wallet was simple enough that we could effectively do this without much effort," said Kate Day, Politico editorial director for growth. "In some ways, the limitations help us focus on what we really want to say."

Politico is not the first to use the Wallet platform for something other than its intended purpose. Ad agency Digitas LBI, which collaborated on the EU Referendum Tracker, tested out a similar system for the UK general election last year.

To access the EU Referendum Tracker, simply visit the sign-up website on an iOS device, fill out the required information and click the Wallet link to generate a pass. Users can delete the pass by accessing it from the Wallet app.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    mac_128mac_128 Posts: 3,454member
    Hmmm. I wonder how Apple feels about this. Can't imagine they are happy. That's not what Wallet was developed to do.
    lolliverredraider11mike1jony0
  • Reply 2 of 8
    lolliverlolliver Posts: 494member
    mac_128 said:
    Hmmm. I wonder how Apple feels about this. Can't imagine they are happy. That's not what Wallet was developed to do.

    I agree, not at all what Apple intended as a use case for Wallet. I think it is a creative idea though and interesting to see what they have been able to do with it. I can't see myself wanting several cards in my Wallet all dedicated to specific news stories though.
    cornchipmike1jony0
  • Reply 3 of 8
    clemynxclemynx Posts: 1,552member
    How is it possible that all referendums are now almost 50/50 all the time? That doesn't make any sense.
    cornchiplolliverjony0
  • Reply 4 of 8
    mobiusmobius Posts: 380member
    Sorry, but it's inaccurate and politically biased to describe the poll itself as a "Brexit Poll". The poll is an EU Referendum to decide whether Britain should remain in or leave the EU. To describe it as a "Brexit Poll" is like describing the 2016 American Presidential election as a Trump Election or a Clinton Election.

    'Brexit' is merely used to describe supporters of Britain's exit from the EU.
    edited June 2016 urahara[Deleted User]
  • Reply 5 of 8
    foggyhillfoggyhill Posts: 4,767member
    Predictable, I wondered who would do that when I saw what the Wallet could do.
  • Reply 6 of 8
    uraharaurahara Posts: 733member
    mobius said:
    Sorry, but it's inaccurate and politically biased to describe the poll itself as a "Brexit Poll". The poll is an EU Referendum to decide whether Britain should remain in or leave the EU. To describe it as a "Brexit Poll" is like describing the 2016 American Presidential election as a Trump Election or a Clinton Election.

    'Brexit' is merely used to describe supporters of Britain's exit from the EU.


    I partially agree. Why partially - how else weald you call it in only a couple of words?

  • Reply 7 of 8
    crowleycrowley Posts: 10,453member
    mobius said:
    Sorry, but it's inaccurate and politically biased to describe the poll itself as a "Brexit Poll". The poll is an EU Referendum to decide whether Britain should remain in or leave the EU. To describe it as a "Brexit Poll" is like describing the 2016 American Presidential election as a Trump Election or a Clinton Election.

    'Brexit' is merely used to describe supporters of Britain's exit from the EU.
    I appreciate the point, but since it's a vote to change or retain the status quo, I don't think it's unreasonable to refer to the vote by what the change is proposing. A vote for clean air legislation would be referred to as such, not as a vote for clean air or not clean air legislation, even if it's just for aesthetic and convenience reasons.

    Tbh I'm more bothered by the normalization of the hideous portmanteau culture in a serious national debate. "Brexit"?  Bruck off.

    Not an exit supporter. 
    edited June 2016
  • Reply 8 of 8
    gordygordy Posts: 1,004member
    lol they've turned Wallet into HyperCard.
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