The competition between operating systems in various devices is fierce, and firms are constantly improving these systems to provide users with the ultimate experience. Apple's latest mobile phone operating system called iOS6 will be released sometime this fall, while Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 will be released on October 26. Accompanying these operating systems are new features in the digital world: Apple's Passbook and Microsoft's Wallet Hub.
Apple Passbook Features
Apple's devices, the iPhone and iPod Touch, currently don't have NFC technology embedded into its systems. Though it doesn't store credit cards nor allow for payments, its functions can rival Microsoft's Wallet Hub. Passbook is an app for iOS6 that stores tickets, coupons, cards, and passes into one easy to use interface. To scan each pass, a 2D barcode, like a QR code, is present at the bottom which stores the relevant information of the pass.
The most prominent feature is Passbook's time and location enabled capabilities. By using GPS, a user's card would appear right on their home screen based on their location, allowing for consumers to swipe and scan to use the card with ease. Accompanying this feature is push notifications and real time updates, so when information on a pass changes, say the balance of your Starbucks card is reduced, users will automatically receive the updated figure on their passes.
The underlying question is how to actually receive passes and where to get them.
Microsoft Wallet Hub Features
When Microsoft debuts future Windows Phone devices, all will be equipped with NFC chips that allow users the ability to carry out transactions. Wallet Hub is an application that can store all passes, tickets, coupons, and most notably credit card and debit cards. Users can use their Windows Phones to pay for items at various outlets that support NFC technology. This app would become the exclusive payment system for all Windows Phones, and in-app purchases would be carried out through Wallet Hub.
The home screen will display all the user's passes, cards, and tickets, offering easy access to things in their e-wallet. Dig a little further and there are even options for users to search for nearby deals. In terms of redeeming these offers, the current known way Microsoft has chosen is through the use of QR codes, but this could change after October.
With NFC technology, all Windows Phone 8 devices would be able to interact with one another. Like the "Bump" app in iPhones, users can share information between their phones utilizing NFC. A simple "tap" of the devices and data is transferred between the two devices. For example, sharing a digital business card or pictures would be very simple.
Microsoft Wallet Hub Secure SIMs
Here's the catch: your network must provide you with a secure SIM in order to take advantage of mobile payments. The only issue is that it relies on network providers being a part of this scheme, and there aren't many providers who are issuing SIMs just yet.
Passbook vs. Wallet Hub
So which is better? We know that Apple doesn't support NFC but adopting this and allowing for mobile payments is likely in the works. Both Passbook and Wallet Hub provide the main function of storing digital passes, along with unique features that make each app stand out. The battle between the two companies will continue, and only when the apps are released will we see who has the upper hand.
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