Patently Apple has uncovered some new patents filed by Jobs & Co. indicating that an “iTunes for Concert Tickets” system — or iTickets — is in the works. The patents show off a complete e-ticket system whereby a user purchases a ticket via iTunes and then redeems the ticket using his or her iPhone at venues ranging from large rock concerts to small weddings.
The entire setup, which Patently Apple has detailed in full, is interesting for several reasons. First, it’s a way for Apple to move the iTunes platform beyond digital goods, namely live events. While iTunes has previously partnered with the likes of Ticketmaster and Live Nation to offer early access ticket purchasing for buyers who pre-order an album, this would be a way for the company to move directly into a space largely controlled by one entity.
Apple’s patent application shows off several other potential benefits of the iTicket platform as well. For instance, by making a connected device like the iPhone the ticket, vendors have the opportunity to offer event-goers easy access to live recordings of the event, exclusive interviews or additional content, direct access to merchandise, discounts on refreshments and digital seating maps.
Apple uses its WWDC summer event for developers as an example in the filing. Rather than having to rely on physical tickets, attendees could simply have an iTicket that would also get them direct access to other content, talks, schedules, maps of after-parties and so on.
Delta Airlines, which is headquartered in my hometown, supports digital boarding passes at some of its bigger airports. I love this because it is one less thing to print out and one fewer line to stand in for a boarding pass.
We all take our cellphones with us everywhere anyway, why not make the cellphone the event ticket? Whether it’s Apple or someone else, this is an idea that has tons of potential.
iTickets actually makes even more sense in the context of the iGroups patent that was revealed last month. Think about the additional possibilities, on a social level, of linking together people who are attending the same event and then utilizing granular social interaction features.
