Monthly Archiv: August, 2012
3D printing is a very interesting form of manufacturing technology in my opinion. This technology allows for the creation of pretty much anything you can think of. Of course there are some design parameters, and there are only so many materials offered – but there are quite a few possibilities for what can be produced through 3D printing.
The amount of materials is blowing up in quantity in the world of 3D printing. There are over 100 materials to choose from in fact! Some of the materials are similar to rubber. Some are very mechanical, such as stainless steel, Inconel, and titanium. Some of the materials are flame retardants, like prime-part. Other materials offer extreme levels of detail. Quite a few are hard, while others are soft. Some even offer full color!
There are quite a few size parameters to keep in mind. Some machines, or 3D printers used in 3D printing offer very small build envelopes, or build sizes. These small printers are great for things like hearing aids, dental applications, and jewelry. Other printers are great for prototyping such as the objet line of printers, which can be any size from the size of your desktop printer to the size of a refrigerator. Other printers are larger than your king sized bed, producing large parts. There is even a printer which is large enough to print concrete houses! The size and possibilities for materials are very extensive within 3D printing.
Speaking of printers, I want to highlight what the consumer is going to be able to use. Instead of branching out to a 3D printing service or an expensive manufacturing facility, users are going to be able to purchase their own printers. Some of these 3D printers can be over $100,000. Some of them are well over $50,000. The “affordable” ones have been above $20,000. Now, thanks to the maker movement, we have been seeing printers dropping well under $2,000. Some printers are even under $1,000!
Of course the much more inexpensive models aren’t going to be producing incredibly intricate pieces which triumph over the expensive printers, but they are creating affordable prints. These 3D printing machines are here to change the way that users manufacture everything! Some of these printers have been designed to fit in a brief case. Some are no larger than your desktop 2D printer. These printers have typically ran off FDM technologies, but there have been some SLA printers that have been coming out. In fact, lately there has been a strong variety in cheap, or inexpensive printers in the maker movement. 3D printing companies like 3D systems, Stratasys, Makerbot, and others have been putting out some seriously powerful work by empowering the average “maker” to work with manufacturing. This technology is available to more than just the industry giants.
I think that within the next 50 years or so, there will be a strong movement pressed on making manufacturing easier for the average user. There will be printers available at places like hobby lobby, and office depot – giving us the power to manufacture pretty much whatever we want when we want to do it.
I’m very interesting in the technology known as 3D printing. This technology is very cool, as it allows for the creation of pretty much anything! There isn’t a general application for 3D printing; this technology produces parts within all industries. Some of the models include architectural models. Some of the applications are in the medical field, including prosthetics and even organ replication. Some of the applications work around prototyping and product development. Others applications are great for full color character models. There isn’t one “average” type of print that comes from a 3D printer. There is too much to cover! Let me elaborate.
3D printing allows for the creation of so much, the possibilities really depend on the designer of the 3D model used. There is an extensive library of materials, well over 100 in fact. There is a material for pretty much everything. Precious metals like platinum, gold, and silver are around. Mechanical materials like stainless steel, Inconel, and titanium are around. Look at the Objet tango family for rubber like materials. Many others such as “snap fit” materials or flame retardants are in existence as well. There is just so much to choose from; like I said earlier, there are over 100 materials to choose from. There is also an extensive library of printers to choose from as well. Tons of printers exist today to produce what you’re looking for. Some printers offer small builds like desktop printers or medical printers that work around hearing aids, jewelry, and dental applications. There are printers which can actually use concrete to manufacture houses! Other printers are around which can produce large pieces for prototyping. There is a material, and a size of that material for pretty much everything.
One thing I want to discuss is 3D printing small parts for the medical industry. There have been a wide variety of options for what 3D printing has jumped into, but the medical world is definitely one of them. It has even done some organ replication! Let me talk about 3D Printing hearing aids, dental work, and custom parts. Like I mentioned earlier, there are materials for pretty much whatever you need. One of the material requirements for the medical world in some instances, would be the material to offer incredibly high detail and resolution, while being safe to be placed in the body. Dental applications have definitely taken notice of 3D printing, and hearing aids have definitely expanded on this technology. When a print can include an entirely unique model per each piece in a build tray, we are talking efficiency. Imagine being able to manufacture 30 hearing aids at once, while each of the models were entirely unique to each individual patient. Think about it; 3D printing can create the model to the exact dimensions required in a material that is practical and safe to use in the body. That is what I call efficient! There are also requirements for very specific situations in which a patient may need a highly customized piece that is made from a material that offers specific materials. 3D printing can definitely help with those needs!
We live in a world of high-definition, and getting the best picture means using the best of everything-right down to the cables that connect your home theater system, to experience the best home theater experience.
The two most used connectors for HD video are component and HDMI cables. Both work the same, but there is always a popular question that is often heard “which one is better?”
HDMI cable definition: HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, which is a type of digital connection, capable to transmit high-definition videos and high-resolution audios over a single cable itself.
Component cable: It can be used for both HD (High Definition) and standard video signals. Component video is an analog signal that consists of red, blue, and green video cables. Component cables suggestively deliver video only and do not carry sound.
When you compare HDMI versus Component differences, truly they do not seem to be very different. The main difference is one is analog and one is digital which generally not concern most of the users as long as it works for their situation.
Although HDMI and component can both support 1080p video resolution, that doesn’t mean the picture quality is equal. HDMI is a digital cable, so there’s not much wasted conversion from digital Blu-ray disc, as compared to that over an analogue component cable.
HDMI supports high-definition content protection (HDCP), which is required by many high-definition downloads and Blu-ray discs. If you use component cable, you see a lower-resolution version of the content that will lessen the home theater experience. HDMI could deliver 1080p whereas component cables can only deliver 1080i.
If you want to get both video and digital sound into your television or your home theater system, use HDMI cable. One HDMI connector truly carries full video and audio signals. However a component video may require three plugs for video alone. You’ll need other plugs-possibly on other cables-to connect the audio.
HDMI is mainly renowned for its video quality, but it can also carry audios without the need for multiple cables. HDMI also supports audio return channel, which sends sound from your TV tuner to your receiver. So the picture and sound s of the home theater speakers and home theater TV will be in perfect sync.
This feature of 1080p Up-conversion function that converts standard-definition images (720×576 pixels) from DVD sources into high-definition images (1920×1080 pixels) is available in the home theater range from Panasonic.
So the biggest difference, for an average user, is that the sending device (cable box, DVD player, etc) will most likely not send HD quality signal on the component output. Mostly as these companies trying to support HDCP therefore things obviously moving to HDMI so you will most likely want to move sooner or later.
To enlighten people with what the iOs App actually means, it is actually a mobile operating system that was formerly developed and distributed in the market by the prestigious Apple Company. The Application was originally let into the market in the year 2007 to cater to the needs of the iPhone and iPad as both were based on the touch type. The interface of this application is based on direct manipulation of the multiple touch gestures of these phones from the Apple Company. The minor components of this operating system include some actions and gestures such as pinch and reverse pinch, touch and tap and swipe which each gesture having its specific definition with its corresponding context of these phones.
Other than sporting you with a quality user interface this operating system houses numerous benefits for its end users such as providing ready information at its user’s fingertips, smart applications to keep its users engaged all through the day and its ability to reach out to millions of customers at one definite time. Many people also rely on these applications to run their business and to earn their revenues etc.
Let us briefly discuss the milestones involved in iOs App Development. It all started with a brainy idea crafted by the most intelligent staff working for the Apple Company. As a end user you can also try and create your own apps and the whole process would definitely be fun and much more rewarding. As a user you should first make sure that there does not exist any other app that you are proposing, and have a road map or a clear picture of your app on a paper. And understand that a Mac is quite essential to develop a iOs App as it runs on this software and it is available in varying packages and price. In order to work with this Mac you get to register yourself as an Apple developer as the company warrants it. This is quite simple as it is free and is done just once. Now try downloading the software development kit to give your app the final shape, this would be quite easy now as you have registered as a Apple developer. Carefully choose the version and try to get all the sample codes and the related documents.
It is now time to download the x-code and start developing the iOs app using the templates in the Software Development package. You can in fact start designing it as per your creativity using the templates provided. You can also get guided with online tutorials available to frame your designs. Now comes the sticky part of iOs App Development, as you would require someone who is good in programming language, if you have not mastered it yet or use some texts for reference. Now get your app programmed with C and try preserving these steps for future explorations. Depending on the details you have created in your app this may take days or months. Test its functionality with your iPhone and spread a word among your friends. After you are sure about its quality and functionality, it may be submitted for approval from industry experts.
Have you ever wanted to own a smart phone but found it too expensive or out of your range? Ever looked in envy as your friends showed off their latest phones but you had to look on because it was too expensive for your budget? Your worries are over as fashion and you online is launching their new range of blackberry phones at throwaway prices. Now is the time to get your brand new blackberry at the best blackberry mobile phone prices in India.
BlackBerry are regarded as one of the most elegant and suave phones in the market today. Looks apart, blackberries enjoy a fan following like no other. They are the inventors of the QWERTY keypad on phones. Blackberry phones offer you connectivity like no other. The network reception of a blackberry is superior compared to other phones of its kind. Distance is not an issue when you have a blackberry. Buy a blackberry online today!
Blackberry is also known for its ground breaking encryption technology. It is nearly impossible to intercept and manipulate messages sent via blackberry phones. Even security agencies find it difficult to intercept blackberry messages. It is also incredibly easy to type messages in a blackberry phone with their easy to use QWERTY keypad. Blackberry phones are also equipped with sure type technology which predicts what you are about to type and help in writing emails and messages easier. Thus it is no wonder that all high level professionals and businessmen prefer blackberries.
The blackberry interface is also one of the best in the market today. It is specifically designed to offer a superior browsing experience and make navigating the phone easier. It features a range of applications from email to games. The application store of blackberry also houses thousands of applications for you to download with more apps are being added every day. All you have to do is log on to the app store from your blackberry mobile and start downloading what you like. It’s as simple as that!
Not only this, BlackBerry also offers the option of expandable memory apart from their inbuilt memory capacity. If you need to store large number of files and need more memory space, you can insert a memory card and voila! Your phone’s storage capacity has increased. Order you blackberry on our store online and you can even get a memory card for free!
If your blackberry runs into some problem, you can immediately contact their 24 hour customer care helpline where a professional will guide you through the steps needed to overcome the problem on your device. If need be, they will even replace your phone for a new one free of charge!
So look no further. Log on now and order your brand new blackberry mobile phone online in India today so you do not miss out on all the great offers. Begin your BlackBerry experience today.
The FCC Mandatory Narrowbanding deadline is fast approaching and as of January 1, 2024 it states, “any equipment that is not capable of operating on channels of 12.5 kHz or less will need to be replaced.” The FCC then solidifies their claim, “it is likely that those who fail to comply will face serious penalties such as monetary fines or license cancellation.”
What is Narrowbanding?
Traditional land mobile VHF and UHF bands use a 25 kHz bandwidth (“wide-band”); narrowbanding reduces the channel bandwidth of your radios to 12.5 kHz, with an eventual FCC goal of 6.25 kHz.
This change will create broader spectrum availability with an additional benefit of interference protection. This mandate does pose some challenges, but with proper planning and funding, you will find a seamless transition.
Whom Does This Change Affect?
Most wastewater or water system that utilize a standard SCADA/RTU system through private land mobile radio to monitor remote pump stations should evaluate their current systems.
This mandate especially affects those that utilize monitoring equipment installed before
Some equipment comes preprogrammed to work on both the 25 kHz and 12.5 kHz channels, but running devices on different channels on the same network may create interference and other communication errors.2011 and have not yet started to upgrade.
If your current radios cannot operate on the 12.5 kHz bandwidth, then you will need to replace your radios before January 1, 2024 or run the risk of fines or major interference.
Is There an Easy Solution?
OmniSite can help municipal utilities transfer to cellular monitoring devices; our
Because OmniSite utilizes your local cellular network, you will never have to worry about private land radio bandwidth requirements in the future. You will have a system that will fulfill your technical requirements for years down the road. You will also get our GuardDog Web Portal software free, as it comes standard with every OmniSite device. solutionscomply with the FCC narrowbanding mandate. A new OmniSite system with an extended warranty costs less than a replacement SCADA/RTU radio. After installation, you will find OmniSite’s ease of use an added benefit to the cost savings over your traditional SCADA system.
From the GuardDog interface, you can see all your device alarm notifications for failures and high/low level as well as pump stats for well level, well drawdown, amp draw, on/off cycles, runtime, and more. Take a quick look at our free GuardDog demo to see the software in action.
What Step Should You Take Next?
If you would like to learn more about the OmniSite Cellular Monitoring Solutions, please visit http://www.OmniSite.com. When you are ready to purchase a unit, find a local representative to assist you or purchase online. Should you have any additional questions please feel free to contact us.
Tech savvies always look for some technologically advanced gadgets and for these people ipads cannot fail to meet their expectations. It is offered in a sleek design along with amazing graphic features. The applications with which this gadget is offered are fun filled and useful as well. One of the important points that attract people towards this device is their size. It is maneuverable and light just weighing 1.5 pounds and with a depth of just 0.5 inches. Some years ago, people changed from desktop to laptop computers for easiness of carrying, but now the trend has changed and now people are looking laptops as heavy and therefore they are turning towards tablet PCs like iPad. With this they will be able to escape from sour shoulders.
It is also popular for its iWork productivity applications that include keynotes, numbers and pages and these are turning out to be time saving functions for businessmen, who are always on the go. Businessmen, who do many presentations, can be greatly benefited with the keynote feature of ipads. They can watch the presentations on the device or they can also make use of VGA adapters for showing the presentations on big television or projector screens.
The iBook and iBookstore applications of this gadget is another important feature with the help of which tech savvys can purchase books and can read them on their ipad itself. They need not travel in search of a bookstore. Browsing the World Wide Web can be done easily and with the help of the bookstore application, they can also create a bookshelf with the help of the books purchased by them. There will a huge inventory of books to choose from and the books of their favorite authors can be downloaded by the users in such a way that they can read any book from the list of downloaded books in the shelf.
Tech savvies, who are interested in reading reviews about the latest technologically advancements can get the help of gadgets technology magazines available in the World Wide Web. From the website of these magazines, they can keep themselves updated about the latest additions to the world of technology.
Gadgets technology magazines would be of great help of people, who wish to get latest information about any newly introduced tablet PCs, or any computer game that has been recently launched, etc… Keeping updated is easier with these magazines and they will be of great use to tech enthusiasts.
Your business is local or international, but satisfied customer communication plays an important role in the success of every business. You need a genuine telecommunication service provider who can give reliable services. VoxPremium is of the communication service provider located in Romania. We are professional and known for our services. We use cutting edge technologies to give maximum benefits to our local and international clients. We provide our services since last many years. Our technical staff is always online for your help and you can call anytime. Our business aim is to offer imaginative services to our worldwide clients. We are a Premium Number Provider. Generally we are involved in wholesaler and retailer voice termination services. All VoxPremium operations are protected through latest technology server platform and connected with reliable connections. We are also IVR Service Providers. We offer maximum profit to customers by providing ingenious and cutting edge technology services. Generate more revenue from our paid services like; 1 to 1 Chat, Excellent Voice Quality, Professional operators, live control panel, Maximum Hold time, Fast Interconnection, IVR services, Voice Services, multiple languages etc. All our services are available in diverse languages like; Urdu, Hindi, Farsi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi and English. Our major destination countries are Maldives, Dominica, Morocco, Lithuania, Turkey, Venezuela, Guinea, Somalia, Sierra Leone etc.
International Telephone Numbers
Our International Telephone Numbers are able to handle large number of users. Hire our services and get eye catching benefits from your callers. You need to set up an international telephone number at any international location. It will reflect like it is a local number of that particular country. Now, when you get called from customers of that country it will be automatically redirected to your telephone number. By this way you can save money on infrastructure development. Examples of all these services are: Directory inquiries/ technical support, videos downloads, Virtual chatting, mobile ringtones, News, horoscope, sports updates, images and games downloads, TV show voting/ competitions by phone, SMS services, other entertainment content. Our clients are available in Maldives, Dominica, Morocco, Lithuania and Turkey. You can manage your international call traffic locally. Our qualities are throughout day and night services, better-quality and safe communication, less burden of work on management, No Capital Investment, you can supervise our services from anywhere in the world. When you hire our services, we give you admin control. This is accessible from anywhere in the world. In the short term you can check incoming and outgoing of your call records and also benefits you get from our services.
Live Chat Services
Our live chat services are accepted by so many website owners worldwide and they are completely satisfied with our services. Our efforts help your website user to engage in effective chat and reliable response. Visitor never waits on your web page if he didn’t satisfy with normal chat. Here, you need help of professional chat experts who are trained to do so. It is our responsibility to convert your visitor into your potential customer. Your website visitors use our chat services when they genuinely need products or services related help. Satisfied customer of chat can increase your profit. Improve your ROI with our services.
In an online conferencing environment, the scope of interactivity among participants is similar to what it would be in a face-to-face meeting. This has been made possible by audio and video conferencing. Earlier, meetings were held through teleconferencing, but a face-to-face virtual meeting environment was created by video conferencing, and audio conferencing was a value-add to this service. Online conferencing helps to save time and money, and this is the reason organizations, small and big, are willing to adopt this excellent service. Today, companies are starting to realize, the benefits of audio and video conferencing services and are employing them effectively to lower their company costs.
In terms of growth in business and better profits, web conferences are proving to be the ideal alternative to expensive business meetings and conferences. Web conferences allow organizations to conduct conferences with clients, suppliers, employees, partners and so on, without the need of its personnel to travel to different locations. This helps to reduce organizational costs in a big way. Beside costs, a lot of time and effort of employees can be utilized for other productive tasks. Not only meetings or conferences, events such as trainings, product launches, seminars, product showcases and so on, prove to be expensive for companies when conducted conventionally.
Online conferencing facilitates greater participation by participants and, consequently, the business process becomes streamlined, thus providing organizations with a greater competitive advantage over competitors. The most important advantage that online conferencing offers over conventional conferencing is flexibility. In an online conferencing environment, users can attend audio and video conferences while traveling, which has been made possible with the compatibility of online services with laptops, smart phones and tablet computers.
In today’s competitive business environment, the list of benefits offered by conferencing solutions can be the ideal solution for organizations, big and small. In terms of technology, today’s conferencing services are far more superior and robust than conferencing services that were available a few years back. High-grade video and web conferencing solution, along with, superior audio conferencing solution adds up a powerful medium of communication for organizations; these services being economical is another superb advantage. Not only organizations, online conferencing is being utilized by schools and colleges to provide, online teaching sessions to learners in either, a synchronous or an asynchronous environment.
Nowadays, conferencing services are being offered by a number of companies. With the availability of economical conferencing services, business firms and other institutions do not have to worry about the costs associated with web meetings, conferences, virtual events, trainings, virtual classrooms and so on. The greatest advantage that online conferencing provides is the collaboration of a number of people in real time, synchronously. Organizations planning for product launches, training sessions, press conferences or company wide meetings, can avail services of a conference service provider that offers superior and economical conferencing services. With online conferencing, organizations can certainly operate their business in a better way and thereby achieving greater profits and success. The advent of specialized and customizable conferencing services is turning out to be a boon for organizations.
How is Apples iOS 6 Passbook App Going to Impact Other Electronic Wallets?
Apple has entered the smartphone wallet business with a new application in iOS 6 called Passbook; a prelude to what might soon become a fully-fledged electronic wallet. With the Apple brand behind it, it is expected that all aspects of mobile payments, ticketing, and discounts will change forever.
Introducing Passbook
On Monday, June 11, 2024 at the Worldwide Development Conference (WWDC), Apple announced it’s very own mobile wallet application known as Passbook. Passbook is an iOS 6 app that will be fully integrated into the latest iPhone operating system. Expected to be released sometime in October it’s most likely to launch along with the iPhone 5 release. Apple provides an API to enable developers to create, manage and distribute Apple-approved boarding passes, reward cards, gift cards, incentive cards, and more in a single place. In a similar fashion to the iOS Books and Newsstand apps, Apple are providing a native platform that allows business owners to get their business and service offerings in front of iPhone users.
A Beautiful User Interface
Apple’s development of Passbook establishes a secure-standard for supporting and organising virtual tickets, store cards, coupons, and offers in the mobile iOS devices. An impressive array of features will appear at the time of the initial launch with a lot more to follow as developers start to integrate the system elsewhere. Prior to its official launch, Apple has already built an existing list of large retailers that wish to integrate the Passbook technology into existing iOS applications, such as Starbucks popular barcode payments app. More small and large businesses are expected to announce how they intend to use Passbook to their advantage closer to the launch date.
Passbook presents a great looking simple-to-use card-style user interface (UI) that updates live as the store cards or passes are used. Apple have taken care of the way that a user, and the business, interacts with the digital Passes. There are certain constraints, like the size of the Pass, or the number of fields allowed, or how the user can choose to be informed etc.. but Apple are attempting to offer a truly open system. An application that can be used by any retailer wishing to offer digital passes. There will also be a rich set of features, including time and location based information, access to prior purchasing history, and access to personal data.
Passes within the Passbook app itself are very attractive. They really feel great to look at and play with. It feels so much more 21st century than a stuffed wallet or purse full of paper and plastic. Each type of pass has a slightly different style that allows the user to quickly find the right one. For example a retail coupon has a serrated edges to graphically illustrate a discount or a movie ticket has a half-circle clipped at the top to illustrate the likeness of a ticket stub.
These Passbook standards and the API suggests Apple are creating their foundation for how they might wish to integrate their technology with Visa, MasterCard or similar payment card processing networks.
Built in Features
Passbook is a fully functioning application, and any business creating and distributing these passes can exploit the Passbook features immediately:
- Geolocation
- Push Updates
- Calendar Updates
Geolocation: The pass will automatically appear when the iPhone user reaches a particular place. When the device is near a retailer, or whatever location the Pass creator chooses, a message appears on the lock screen to alert the user that they have a Pass (perhaps a discount coupon or a loyalty card) that can be redeemed. Not only is this very convenient for the iPhone user but also allows retailers the option to push offers and incentives based on a range of criteria, including that of location.
Examples:
- A large chain coffee company delivers their loyalty card via Passbook so that it opens automatically once a user gets close to a particular store. Instant access is given to the barcode system which the user simply scans at the terminal and then they enjoy their cup off coffee. They don’t even need to type in their password to unlock the phone.
- An electronic store ‘pushes’ a coupon the instant they arrive at the store; Passbook notifies the shopper of their current balance and the discount available.
- A mass transit railway company issue Passbook Passes to display the number of rides or credits available, with a scannable barcode for use at the ticket office.
- A ticketing company issues Passbook tickets which will instantly pop up at the time of the concert, and again when the device holder gets close to the venue; building up excitement and maximising audience engagement.
Push Updates: All coupons, cards and tickets come with the ability to dynamically update. Updated information can be instantly pushed to the iPhone lockscreen which then opens up the specific Pass in Passbook. The notice is pushed to the lock screen, the relevant pass then appears and the updated information is circled, with some cool animation; quickly informing the user what’s changed.
Examples:
- An airline issues Passbook boarding passes. In the last hour they need to change departure gate, so push an update to all the Passbook boarding pass holders who quickly receive the updated notification and the Boarding Pass is automatically updated.
- A large retail store, issues it’s loyalty cards via Passbook. When someone spends over a certain amount and they move to ‘Platinum status’, Passbook provides them a little ‘congratulation update’ and the Pass Image changes colour to indicate their new status.
Integration with Calendar and Reminders: The Pass can be tagged with a certain date and time. If activated, the reminder can appear in the user’s iOS calendar. At the appropriate time the reminder will appear on the user’s device and the can immediately go straight to the relevant Pass in Passbook.
Examples:
- An airline ticket is purchased with date exclusions and alerts are sent to the Pass owner when an available open date presents itself.
- Someone sends his birthday invites via Passbook and using the calendar invite feature the app will allow event tickets to be pushed on to friends to accept and attend.
By combining Geolocation, Live updates and the Reminder functionality the end user can look forward to a wonderfully rich experience. And thanks to Apple’s ingenuity, the user won’t be annoyed by the little things that could ruin the experience. For example the screen doesn’t rotate when a Pass is open; so unlike when using Safari, Passbook keeps your barcode in one orientation. Also, the screen remains lit when a Pass is open; nothing would be more annoying than trying to scan your pass and the screen saver comes on! Using Passbook is a truly engaging, exciting, convenient and useful experience. So much more fun than old paper tickets, or plastic membership cards that clog up wallets.
As Apple offers advanced functionality, and developers get to integrate more impressive options, the Passbook platform will end up a spectacular system for store cards, tickets, and payment innovations.
Bar Codes
Initially Apple is introducing Passbook with the integration of 2D bar codes. This simple bar code facility allows the user to redeem the voucher and allows the retailer to confirm the validity of the Pass. Apple chose 2D bar codes, instead of the older 1D bar codes, as there were some problems with scanners recognizing 1D barcodes on an LED screen. The Pass creator can choose to generate a 2 Bar Code in any of the most popular formats; Aztec, PDF147 or QR Code.
Near Field Communication (NFC)
Despite much speculation, it doesn’t look like Apple will launch Passbook with NFC (Near-field communication) integration although longer term there seems to be light doubt that this upgrade in hardware is on its way.
When NFC is released in a next generation of Apple iPhones it will offer the ability to integrate much better with retailers existing payment processing systems. NFC systems are at present being installed at many retailers (mostly larger establishments) as part of MasterCard’s and Visa’s mandate on having a high volume of NFC and EMV transactions by the year 2014. Apple are expected to be at the front of the cue with the NFC technology once its integrated into the iOS as more of the NFC payments systems become available at merchants.
Payment Integration
It’s just a matter of time before Apple put its full weight behind the Passbook app to integrate payment card facilities. Although, given the regulation and the general complexity of the payment space, we can’t see Passbook fully substituting existing payment cards (MasterCard and Visa), but rather combine the use of both of these services.
Apple is wisely implementing a wallet app that works with existing infrastructure, rather than against. A lot of companies have tried to completely transform the mobile payment space while ignoring the incredible weight and power of the companies they were trying to do battle with; namely the banks and credit card companies. With Passbook, Apple is clever to keep these guys onside by working with them and not against. Passbook is ultimately a platform for innovation allowing any company to easily be part of the mobile payments space, without having to heavily invest in their own wallet application.
Business Opportunity
Passbook is expected to have a direct impact on all businesses involved in payments, loyalty cards, store cards, gift cards, ticketing (airlines, trains, etc.), and incentive cards. Getting ready for Passbook now couldn’t be anymore obvious for small or large business alike. History has shown us that anyone aligning themselves with the Apple eco-system benefits massively. You only have to think about how many people are going to be rushing to the store for a new iPhone 5.0 and when they want to fill their empty Passbook, where are they going to turn?
In a similar fashion to the app store, Apple aims to seed 1000s of new ideas and start-ups. Companies that are already working to learn this technology will be the first to announce and benefit from this new eco-system. If you have ambitions for developing spectacular wallet ideas, then Passbook is a perfect platform for your creativity. Businesses don’t have to overly invest in a standalone application or try to solve all the interface challenges that Apple has worked out for them.
Apple has a long standing history of shifting the direction of a companies business plans, even the most successful ones. Passbook has the potential to make dozens of products irrelevant or redundant in the near future.
Some critics have suggested that Passbook is just a basic wallet application and not a required addition to the iOS. And it seems these people are ignoring the true opportunity. History will show that the introduction of Passbook all aspects of mobile payments, ticketing, and discounts will change forever. Time to get on board.
Paul Tomes invites you to use the PassKit API for free.
You can experience Passbook for yourself by downloading sample passes onto your iOS6 iPhone. You can push updates to the lockscreen using the PassKit API. And you can create passes, design passes and even distribute passes using the Passbook API, PassKit.
To access the PassK.it API simply visit sample Passbook passes now and download the free Starbucks Pass sample.