Apple's Passbook app integration w/ Disney

[flynnibus]

The ability to side-load apps to Android without jailbreaking is nice - but honestly I rarely use it. So one might add 'monopoly on Application delivery' to the list as well, but to the gen population.. that's not a biggie IMO. It's great for working around things (like faking out Disney's GPS lock on info..) but even tho I can hack my iPhone, I've yet to do it. Sometimes you just want tech to work and be there, and not be a 'gadget'. I've grown out of gadgets.

I side load on my Kindle Fire often, but that has to do with Amazon's limited market. But even that I don't like because downloading Apps for unoffical sources always carries risk.

My friend has a full-on pirate experience on his iPhone.. search for any app.. find a source..and install it for free within about 20seconds. But that's a ton of exposure for saving money.. of which I've spend about $5 of my own over the life of my devices. My kids get plenty of iTunes gift cards

 

[ScoutN]

How many Verizon Droid line phones have come out since Apple iPhone 4 ? The Incredible, Droid X, Droid 2, Droid Bionic, Droid Razor, Droid Razor Maxx, Droid 4, and more...

It's funny how people use the refresh cycle in mobile phones and computers to argue why Apple is 'holding back' or 'wait till the next one' - and turn a blind eye to the rest of the market. Like a computer, every phone decision is a matter of the market at that point in time, and it's a guarantee that within 6-8m there will be some new phone from someone that will best the old phone. The Galaxy SIII is a great looking device. It's also the 4rd phone in the series in 2 years. So no way for anyone to remain on the leading edge even in a Galaxy phone.

The iPhone cycle was pretty strong in the last three iterations. Not only that, but they were all solid devices in their own right.. while Android was still rapidly trying to get the polish and industrial design that Apple already had. Every release claims like it will be the one.. gingerbread.. honeycomb.. ICS.. jelly bean. Yet they have failed to universally win the market.. even in the tech sector itself. It's not about blind lemmings running the market.. even with hot products like Nexus 7, Nexus S, Galaxy SII and SIII.. Apple was still the benchmark to beat, even without the data sheet comparisons.

Apple didn't need to jump on 4G early.. there are no points for being first, especially if its going to ultimately lead to an inferior experience. How many of those first gen 4G devices are still being heralded as better than the current iPhone5?

And you really should stop with the name replacement. Making the association once is one thing.. to do it all the time really is juvenile and only hurts your credibility and takes away from anything you are trying to say.

I know a few that have moved back to Droid on their most recent upgrade. The overall number of course will be apple with their marketing. Galaxy updates more on a regular basis. The current beats the better part of the 5's specs and was already out.

I am not arguing against the OS side of it as I have said at least ten times in this thread; I have a broPhone (last time, I promise. It was just fun earlier).

 

[ScoutN]

I really think the iPhone/Android world almost boils down to this.

If you are the kind of person who likes to build PCs, mess around with technology etc as a hobby, then you will like a lot of what Android has to offer. So much of the Android stuff is not really finished, it is very much a work in progress. You can forget upgrades, most devices end up staying on the version of the software that it ships with, unless you want to do all kinds of hacking to try and cobble together a new version from the Internet. I've got a couple of Android devices that were basically abandoned by Samsung as soon as they were released. They are dead in the water. This seems to be fairly typical for Android. Some people that kind of thing.

If you want something that is a complete working solution out of the box, and is something that just works, you will like the iPhone. But be aware that you can't really hack around with it, you really need to use it the way that Apple intended. You can also be assured that you will continue to get updates. The 4 year old 3GS continues to receive software updates, and will receive a version of iOS6 that is released this week.

What about people with both PC and Mac and used both Droid and iOS? You know I WOULD be the one to unbalance the universe.

 

[ScoutN]

Sometimes you just want tech to work and be there, and not be a 'gadget'.

Which is why I have a 4s. Which is why I do not track my daily car. Apparently saying you own one and not impressed with what is new is being a hater though.

 

[bhg469]

If you want a good idea of what android is about, watch some of the last Google io keynotes. You will see that android is about innovation. Yes they do it too fast for their partners to keep up most of the time. Jellybean is their latest operating system and it showed that they really follow what their users say. The developers behind ROMs are brilliant and they have the so much control over the os they can give any phone the updates they want. The biggest flaw of android is the carriers hands down. The next is manufacturers. There are a lot of passionate opinions on this thread but most of them are just insulting each others phones.

 

[wdwmagic]

If you want a good idea of what android is about, watch some of the last Google io keynotes. You will see that android is about innovation. Yes they do it too fast for their partners to keep up most of the time. Jellybean is their latest operating system and it showed that they really follow what their users say. The developers behind ROMs are brilliant and they have the so much control over the os they can give any phone the updates they want. The biggest flaw of android is the carriers hands down. The next is manufacturers. There are a lot of passionate opinions on this thread but most of them are just insulting each others phones.

This really underlines the problem with Android. It is easy for Google to churn out features, but then the hardware, developer network, and carrier support isn't there. Apple don't do that, they know that they need to make the whole thing work, even down to the carriers.

 

[wdw71fan]

This really underlines the problem with Android. It is easy for Google to churn out features, but then the hardware, developer network, and carrier support isn't there. Apple don't do that, they know that they need to make the whole thing work, even down to the carriers.

Agreed.. Android = Market confusion, on all levels.

 

[luv]

I just want to pipe up for all the "masses" who get lambasted.

I didn't buy the phone as a status symbol. I don't buy anything for that reason. We're I to do so, it wouldn't be a cheapo utilitarian item like a phone.

I didn't get it because it was trendy. So not.

I got it because it had a phone and an iPod in one thing. I was tired of carrying two things on my walks. The phone in my pocket would bump around.

And I loved it because I'm not a tech person. I grow frustrated because all the tech stuff is too hard. Apple makes it easy. I can USE the thing without taking a damn class.

I love the apple stuff for the same reason I loved DVR. When DVR came out, I could USE it to record stuff. That was something I was never able to do with a VCR.

I don't want to have to learn about that crap, like I don't want to learn how to wire a house. I just want to flip the switch and have the light come on.

And when I call them, they speak English. Yay.

Eta: my son is a computer kid. Majored in it until he decided to become a lawyer. He's not an apple fan, either. He blathers on about ridiculous stuff that makes no sense.

One day, he showed me his phone and started telling me why it was better than mine. The only thing I half-understood was that it was made of Kevlar. "So I can shoot it? The bullet won't penetrate?" He was not amused. I was jot impressed. Why would anyone care???

I've dropped my iPhone enough times to know it is durable enough for me. I don't need to know why.

 

[bhg469]

This really underlines the problem with Android. It is easy for Google to churn out features, but then the hardware, developer network, and carrier support isn't there. Apple don't do that, they know that they need to make the whole thing work, even down to the carriers.

HA! Its a 3 day convention to show off what they're doing to show off future technology like a weekend music festival features a lot of bands. No one does anything like it. If you actually watch it and don't find anything interesting you're not a fan of technology. Wwdc is less and less exciting every year, and yes I actually watch it. Who would you honestly like to spend a day with Sergey Brinn , Steve Wozniak or Tim cook? I can honestly say I would pick Steve then sergey then maybe I would let Tim buy me dinner. They are passionate about technology not dollar signs. I love to get excited about innovation and when its there I get excited.

Your comments have made it quite clear you're totally biased and have not seen any android phones in the past year. You call the all flimsy but HTC and Motorola both have offerings that have solid bodies. I have had both and I can tell you the apple offering has amazing features and admit what they're doing well.

 

[flynnibus]

Which is why I have a 4s. Which is why I do not track my daily car. Apparently saying you own one and not impressed with what is new is being a hater though.

No jumping in to derail the discussion and using terms like brophone and crapple over and over is probably what brought that distinction...

 

[lazyboy97o]

As for the features listed, some other products have them. Others don't. But I was responding to your assertion that the 5 wasn't much of an upgrade to the 4S when it clearly is. Whether it represents a better handset than its competitors I already addressed. Spec comparison between different generations of the SAME PHONE matter a whole lot more than spec comparisons betweens completely different platforms.

I am not sure comparing the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5 is even the best comparison. Most consumers are one 2 year contracts and those with an iPhone 4S will probably stay on their contract instead of paying more to get the iPhone 5. I would think a good many of the general public that are upgrading their iPhone are doing so from an iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS.

Yes I have and you are right it is stunning. How long before a competitor has the same pixel count with MUCH better specs for a cheaper price? That is my issue, the specs are just not behind it for the price. A laptop paying that much JUST for the display is not worth it for me.

But it is not just about hardware specs. It is about the whole package. You keep mentions certain hardware specs and missing that this spec or that spec are irrelevant. Software plays a role and while a Hackintosh can be made, it is a niche market. There is a huge segment of the population not interested in building their own computer, its why companies such as HP, Dell, Samsung, etc. all sell prebuilt computers. And while most still offer PCs that can have singular parts upgraded, still not something many are keen to try, they are also increasing their offerings of all-in-one PCs that are more tightly integrated. Why? Because yes, they can sell people whole computers that they have to replace instead of replacing parts, and because there is clearly a market for such products.

I feel Apple were actually quite wise to hold back on the wideband stuff. The networks were not, and still are not in a position to deliver a service that meets Apple's service quality requirements. Why push out a product claiming 3G and LTE, when the networks just don't have it together to support the number of users.

Like my brother who jumped onto 4G right away but could only use it about a whole month of the year when he was here visiting because he didn't live in a 4G market, but he had 4G.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I have to agree with luv on all the points. I have an iPhone 4s and love it (started with the 3gs a few years ago). I will not be getting the 5 until my contract is up next year, and then it will probably be the 5s or 6. I did not buy it as a status symbol or because lots of other people are buying them. I don't need the latest and greatest every year either. I initially bought my 3gs because I wanted a phone and iPod in one. It then became indespensible once I started adding apps that help me remember everything that I normally kept written down!

I have a friend at work that has had 6 Android phones in the same time I have had 2 iPhones, because he keeps talking about how they are locking up, killing his battery, and all manner of issues he had with them. He keeps getting different phones (he has had Droids and Galaxy models). I do not try to sell him on the iPhone (he bought one for his wife, beacuse he said "it just works and is easier for her to understand"), and I don't look down at anyone that buys an Android device of any kind, and they are welcome to purchase anything they want. The problem I have is with the Android users that seem to want to do nothing but bash Apple?!?!?! I don't get it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. What is so hard to understand? Do you fell the need to justify your purchase choices over someone else?

As for the iPhone not having certain features, well, it is their product and they can do what they want with it. If it doesn't include a specific feature, it is probably because they do not think that feature is ready for an excellent user experience yet, and they will add it if it evolves into something that people will actually use or need. They have always been behind adding in the latest technology (e.g. original iPhone only worked on 2g networks while other phones already had 3g). Apple didn't add LTE until they could give users the proper experience relating to speed, power, and battery life. Other features will be added the same way.

Anyway, just my opinion. I hope no one thinks I am targeting anyone with this reply. That is certainly NOT my intention at all.

Oh, and I am a complete techie. I have been doing IT for over 35 years, and I just no longer feel like rooting or jailbreaking my devices! I just want something that works without me having to help it along.

 

[LithiumBill]

I I don't get it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. What is so hard to understand? Do you fell the need to justify your purchase choices over someone else?

Great advice.

My three nuggets of advice for all... Don't talk Politics. Don;t Talk religion. Don't debate Mac VS PC... it's all opinion, not fact, and it never ends in civilized discussion, always name calling and rock throwing.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Bringing this thread back to Passbook... (who would do that, right?)
Apple has all but ruled out NFC for its devices. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57511682-37/no-nfc-for-you-iphone-5-heres-apples-explanation/ and http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57441842-94/is-nfc-killing-google-wallet/
As flynibus had posted earlier, the technical issues surrounding NFC are so fundamental that businesses really see no need in adopting a shaky platform, putting a lot of capital into rollout, and then see the standard potentially fail.

While Apple hasn't said this outright, Bluetooth 4 is what they see as the looming standard for mobile payments/transactions. Bluetooth 4 is a technically superior and secure protocol compared to NFC and is in substantially more devices. For example, the iPhone 5 and 4S, this year and last year's iPod Touch, Samsung Galaxy S3, and Google Galaxy Nexus have bluetooth 4 to just name a few products. How many phones could you name that work well with NFC? From a company like Disney's perspective, Bluetooth 4 is an OS neutral platform that can be integrated within a diverse array of devices so use within the parks is almost seamless for both the guests and the cast members. It doesn't matter if I have an iPhone 4S or you have a Galaxy Nexus, as long as we both have the same app from Disney, it will work.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Anybody else here ever use LevelUp? I have a few times and its always worked very quickly. Yes I have to open an app, but it works quite easily and well. Unlike other screen based systems, it uses a camera and a base to scan a displayed QR code that can be adjusted to different tip amounts.

 

[flynnibus]

As flynibus had posted earlier, the technical issues surrounding NFC are so fundamental that businesses really see no need in adopting a shaky platform, putting a lot of capital into rollout, and then see the standard potentially fail.

No, Bluetooth would be no better. The problem isn't the transport between the phone and the terminal... it's what data is sent between the terminal and the 'application'.. and what backend systems will be used to make something of that data. Bluetooth has greater range, which is a negative in this application. NFC is basically RFID, with even stricter antenna/distance setups.

You can say 'my payment ID is ACDBE' - but if the terminal doesn't know where to lookup ACDBE.. or the app doesn't know what the terminal wants.. you're dead in the water.

It needs to be an agreed upon end-to-end system to work as a payment system. And there is huge money in payments.. so no one is really jumping to hand that money over to someone else. That's why it will take someone like a Visa, PayPal, Google Wallet, etc hitting critical mass (or the killer app) to make the system work.. and none have hit critical mass or wide acceptance from software vendors.

 

[biggy H]

That is because Apple created this segment of the market. Being realistic, the others have just flat out copied the iPhone. Apple will get NFC working for the iPhone, but why should they do it for the rest who have only got to where they are by copying Apple?

This image basically says it all

So the Apple looks a bit like the Sony devices that where around before the iPhone...

Right after this article was circulated internally, Apple industrial designer Shin Nishibori was directed to prepare a “Sony-like” design for an Apple phone and then had CAD drawings and a three-dimensional model prepared. Confirming the origin of the design, these internal Apple CAD drawings prepared at Mr. Nishibori‘s direction even had the “Sony” name prominently emblazoned on the phone design, as the below images from Apple‘s internal documents show:

Soon afterward, on March 8, 2006, Apple designer Richard Howarth reported that, in contrast to another internal design that was then under consideration, Mr. Nishibori‘s “Sony-style” design enabled “a much smaller-looking product with a much nicer shape to have next to your ear and in your pocket” and had greater “size and shape/comfort benefits.” As Mr. Nishibori has confirmed in deposition testimony, this “Sony-style” design he prepared changed the course of the project that yielded the final iPhone design.

I wonder why Apple fought so had to get this evidence excluded from the recent trail....

And now back to the topic at hand...

 

[Rose&Crowner]

...well I guess passbook will have to work before any implementation can happen. Mine certainly isn't.

 

[flynnibus]

supposedly if you change your device from auto-sync'd time.. to one year in the future.. and then back again.. that has unclogged the passport app for many.

I'd just wait a few days and it will be fixed anyways.

 

[nytimez]

So the Apple looks a bit like the Sony devices that where around before the iPhone...



I wonder why Apple fought so had to get this evidence excluded from the recent trail....

And now back to the topic at hand...

Not to get bogged down in this quagmire, but that was not an actual Sony product nor did it resemble an actual Sony phone at the time. Apple liked the overall Sony aesthetic -- Jobs was a huge fan of Sony design going all the way back to the Walkman -- and, as a starting point for an iPhone, asked his designers to make a mockup of a phone that brings together the best elements of the Sony aesthetic.