Could AppleWatch & ApplePay replace a MagicBand?

[TylerBarnett]

Watching Apple's major event today with the company announcing (finally) AppleWatch and ApplePay...it got me thinking. Could AppleWatch be a viable substitute for a MagicBand?

Let's think about this for a moment...

The new iPhone 6 and AppleWatch will have NFC technology in them, allowing for non-contact data to be transferred; like a MagicBand. Once Apple releases the DevKit for AppleWatch, and if I were a betting person, I'd bet that Disney would start working (if they're not already) on a way to sync an AppleWatch to the MyDisney Experience app...syncing all the data for that user(s). This means...park tickets, FastPass+ reservations, meal plans and dinner reservations, etc.

It's not to far fetched to assume that AppleWatch would be able to access this info and use its NFC tech to transfer this data to Disney's MagicBand system and readers. To me, this would be great! Not only could I NOT wear two different bands on my wrist, but I could sync my social accounts to my adventures in the Magic Kingdom. BTW, Disney...if you're reading this, I have great ideas for this tech! Email me...nightgoretb@gmail.com Haha.

Think about it...not only could Disney save MAJOR dollars in cost savings from not having to send out MagicBands but they could MAKE money by selling custom Disney branded watch straps for AppleWatch.

I do hope Disney looks into this. It only seems like the next possible step for the MagicBand system!

Thoughts?

-Tyler

 

[KYMickey]

Unless Apple buys Disney I don't see that happening! Disney has spent too much money with the Magic Band program and doesn't want to lose any impetus it has. There is no incentive for Disney to spend the time nor money to make the Apple equipment work with their system.

I also really wonder how many people will actually accept the new Apple wallet. Especially after the major hack of Apple's servers last weekend I would think that security concerns would be a major issue for most people. Why in the world would somebody want to have all of their financial information available on a cloud for a third-party? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[ImDMous]

I'd much rather buy a $10 Magic Band than a $300 phone and $350 watch. Since Apple only has about 20% market share, I really don't see that happening.

Android has had NFC for years and has a much bigger market share. Honestly, it would have made more sense to work with that if they wanted to enable phones instead of their own hardware.

 

[jon18uk]

Given in the Keynote they said you will be able to use iPhone 6 and Apple watch to use Apple Pay in Walt Disney World parks I expect using it for other things that Disney have NFC for is a next step. They did also mention that Starwood hotels are already working on an app that will open hotel room doors, it is very likely Disney will add the same.

Apple and Disney have been working together ever since Disney bought Pixar, Steve Jobs was a major investor into Pixar and had a place on their board, when Disney bought Pixar it meant an Apple Exec is on the Disney board.

 

[TylerBarnett]

KYMickey,

See, I don't believe that physical MagicBands were that big of a money-spender for Disney...to me that would seem like the easy part. I believe they've spent most of their money on infrastructure and back-end (software, coding) design and installation. I think the cost of the bands themselves are trivial.

ImDMous,

Actually Apple marketshare is more like 42%, just Google "Apple Market Share".

...and I'll be honest, every time I've been to Disney World I always notice that the majority of park/resort guests are carrying iPhones. I don't think it matters what their respective market share is but who from those market shares are visiting Disney; and only Disney knows that for sure.


I think ApplePay will totally change the way people pay for things. If it grows as expected I would bet money that some retailers would pop-up in places that ONLY accept ApplePay. Now, I'm just waiting for them to sync up with PayPal and totally dominate the payments world.

jon18uk,

Exactly! Did you also happen to catch all the Disney related mentions/easter eggs in the Keynote itself? From the Mickey Mouse watch face to Guardians of the Galaxy; Disney was very present within the Keynote.

-Tyler

 

[Cold71]

Yea I agree that the cost of the bands is trivial. At the average cost of a Disney Vacation they are easily recouping the cost of those bands. The other issue is that getting these to work via an app over the same NFC chip the watch is using would cost millions more in development. It just doesn't add up to spend that much more to build this for a watch that most people probably won't have. This may be something you see way down the road if these smart watches ever get to the point of completely replacing the current cell phone.

 

[Cold71]

KYMickey,
I think ApplePay will totally change the way people pay for things. If it grows as expected I would bet money that some retailers would pop-up in places that ONLY accept ApplePay. Now, I'm just waiting for them to sync up with PayPal and totally dominate the payments world.

I think your misunderstanding what ApplePay is, ApplePay is nothing more then an app that you link to a credit or debit card that allows you to pay via the NFC chip in the phone. It probably will never link directly to Paypal because PayPal links to your bank account which your debt card already does. NFC tech is already in use in some Android phones, the issue is that a lot of retailers haven't picked up support for it yet. The NFC chip in the iPhone will make use of the same system some retailers already have in place for Android phones.

 

[jon18uk]

Yea I agree that the cost of the bands is trivial. At the average cost of a Disney Vacation they are easily recouping the cost of those bands. The other issue is that getting these to work via an app over the same NFC chip the watch is using would cost millions more in development. It just doesn't add up to spend that much more to build this for a watch that most people probably won't have. This may be something you see way down the road if these smart watches ever get to the point of completely replacing the current cell phone.

It won't be millions more in development. If the readers can read a magic band they should be able to read an iPhone. Therefore it will only be small talk to add a "payment card" to the Apple Pay app (probably will be linked via MDE app).

 

[Skywise]

No.

While the near field tech could be used for purchases (and it's already stated Disney is on-board for that) the MBs also have long range tracking sensors that probably are NOT on the iWatch. Even if they were I'm pretty sure Apple would allow you to turn them off and Disney wouldn't go for that either.

 

[jon18uk]

No.

While the near field tech could be used for purchases (and it's already stated Disney is on-board for that) the MBs also have long range tracking sensors that probably are NOT on the iWatch. Even if they were I'm pretty sure Apple would allow you to turn them off and Disney wouldn't go for that either.

But the RFID cards that non-resort guests have don't have long range RFID either, therefore iPhone / Apple Watch is still just as good. At present all it means is you can't automatically get ride photos added to Memory Maker.

 

[Cold71]

It won't be millions more in development. If the readers can read a magic band they should be able to read an iPhone. Therefore it will only be small talk to add a "payment card" to the Apple Pay app (probably will be linked via MDE app).

Your thinking for the aspect of paying for things via a card, this however wouldn't work for things like linking a park ticket. Also I'm not 100% on this but I believe there may be a difference between RFID (what the magicband uses) and NFC (what the phone uses). I believe RFID can just be read while NFC uses some exchanging of security keys before hand.

 

[RmeDad]

I posted this in another forum, I will ask the same question here:

Please help me out here, I am a little confused about these watch things. If I have a PHONE that doubles as a TV, a VOICE RECORDER, a MUSIC player, an EMAIL device, a CAMERA/VIDEO RECORDER, an INTERNET BROWSER, a device for PAYING CHARGES at a shopping establishment, has the option of running many useful APPS like running devices in my home remotely and finally is a WATCH/CLOCK/TIMER, why would I need a WATCH with a smaller screen than my phone? Besides, how many people will not be able to read the screen without stopping to put their reading glasses on? Oh yeah, and for HOW MUCH? And don't get me started on these glasses things!

BTW, I think that cellphones are named incorrectly, since many owners don't use them to make phone calls and should be renamed as:

Cellular and High Speed Data Capable Multi-Purpose Electronic Handheld Mobile Communications, Entertainment and Gaming Device

The good ole CHSDCMPEHMCEGD! And if you are an Apple Fanboy make that an iCHSDCMPEHMCEGD!

 

[rjp218]

I think it is highly possible that the Apple Watch will be an option for those who have the watch to use instead of the magic bands. During the Keynote it was mentioned that some hotel chains will be using the watch for hotel check-ins and keyless entry into hotel rooms.

Secondly, regarding Apple Pay, it was mentioned that credit card numbers are not actually stored on the phone, but digital tokens (along with the Touch ID finger print sensor) will be used to accept payment. If the phone is lost the credit info can be wiped from the phone remotely.

Lastly, it was mentioned about the recent issue with photos in iCloud being hacked. It was confirmed that Apple's servers were not hacked, but it was due to weak passwords on the individual users devices along with not implanting the offered two-step verification. It was confirmed that if each user used the two-step verification, the accounts would not have been hacked.

 

[Cold71]

I think it is highly possible that the Apple Watch will be an option for those who have the watch to use instead of the magic bands. During the Keynote it was mentioned that some hotel chains will be using the watch for hotel check-ins and keyless entry into hotel rooms.

It's definitely possible, but what they showed was via an app from the hotel chain. Disney would required to do the same. Also, Disney has key'd everything for RFID. From my understanding NFC and RFID are not cross compatible.

Secondly, regarding Apple Pay, it was mentioned that credit card numbers are not actually stored on the phone, but digital tokens (along with the Touch ID finger print sensor) will be used to accept payment. If the phone is lost the credit info can be wiped from the phone remotely.

Yes and no, the credit card numbers have to be on the phone to some degree otherwise ApplePay doesn't know where to send the charge to. Chances are this is done by storing and encrypting the card number and using tokens between the stores systems and ApplePay to authorize the payment.

 

[anthony2k7]

RFID does not equal NFC

There are many different chip types and several different frequencies for RFID. Most of which are completely incompatible with each other. This is one of the many reasons RFID hasn't really caught on yet.

I've no idea what chip type Disney use for room key/special magic band features, but unless they have been planning this for years secretly with Apple I doubt they will be compatible.


Besides, when I get back to the hotel late at night after a long day in the parks I don't really like the idea of getting to my room and pulling out my phone to find its battery is flat and there for I'm locked out of my room....

 

[TylerBarnett]

I think for this to work, which I'm pretty sure could be coming, would mainly just require a big update to the MyMagic app that guests are already using. Data transfers to the phone and AppleWatch happens through the app.

It would seem that watch could do everything the MB can EXCEPT track your location via the RFID. But why couldn't this also happen through the app?..."My Disney Experience would like to use your current location..." BOOM! Now it would do everything a MB could. Granted, some guests would say no. But does Disney REALLY need to know when and if you're in a bathroom?

All the pieces of the puzzle are there. I guess time will tell. I do hope something like this happens.

 

[anthony2k7]

I think for this to work, which I'm pretty sure could be coming, would mainly just require a big update to the MyMagic app that guests are already using. Data transfers to the phone and AppleWatch happens through the app.

It would seem that watch could do everything the MB can EXCEPT track your location via the RFID. But why couldn't this also happen through the app?..."My Disney Experience would like to use your current location..." BOOM! Now it would do everything a MB could. Granted, some guests would say no. But does Disney REALLY need to know when and if you're in a bathroom?

All the pieces of the puzzle are there. I guess time will tell. I do hope something like this happens.

Its not just about location - if MB is based on the wrong chip type, then we're also talking about park entry, FP, hotel room entry. Its only payments that seem possible currently.

 

[tjkraz]

Please help me out here, I am a little confused about these watch things. If I have a PHONE that doubles as a TV, a VOICE RECORDER, a MUSIC player, an EMAIL device, a CAMERA/VIDEO RECORDER, an INTERNET BROWSER, a device for PAYING CHARGES at a shopping establishment, has the option of running many useful APPS like running devices in my home remotely and finally is a WATCH/CLOCK/TIMER, why would I need a WATCH with a smaller screen than my phone? Besides, how many people will not be able to read the screen without stopping to put their reading glasses on? Oh yeah, and for HOW MUCH?

It's definitely a high-end convenience item but it won't surprise me for a moment when the thing sells like hotcakes.

The Watch actually needs to be paired with an iPhone via bluetooth for many functions. But once paired, I can envision scenarios where office workers leave their phone on their desk and continue to receive phone call and text message alerts to the watch.

It has built in fitness features and the demo showed it playing music. If those functions work without being in range of the paired phone, I can see it being a very popular workout tool. I usually run 3x per week and I'd definitely give this a look if it will store my workout data and stream music to wireless headphones during a run. Cost is a little dicey but I definitely see the benefits.

My wife typically has her phone in a purse while outside of the house. That would put the phone within BT range of the Watch. Being able to use the Watch for mobile payments and other out-of-house tasks is another convenience. Heck, I could even see Disney designing a MDE app for the Watch to display FastPass+ return alerts.

Workout applications are definitely of interest to me. I'll need to know a lot more before I line up to spend $350...but I'm at least intrigued. For other applications, you'd have to ask yourself if there are situations where you would like to have information readily accessible without retrieving the smartphone from a purse/pocket/bag. Some smartphone users who have their heads buried in their screens are already objects of scorn. Glancing down at the watch to read a text message or get a sports score update requires a lot less effort than digging out the phone.

It's a pretty sharp fashion accessory, too (IMO). Much nicer than most other watches that competitors rushed to market.

 

[jade1]

I started a thread yesterday afternoon on this-seems like a future fit to me anyway.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3327917

I'm thinking when the watch becomes stand alone it will really take off. And it will not just be Apple.

 

[TylerBarnett]

Its not just about location - if MB is based on the wrong chip type, then we're also talking about park entry, FP, hotel room entry. Its only payments that seem possible currently.

Actually some hotel chains are already implementing the watch to open guest rooms. They mentioned a brand of hotel in the Keynote but I don't remember which one. So, we can mark payments and room keys off the list. I think park tickets and Fastpass+ reservations could work via a sync with the My Disney app.

All things are possible and I fully expect this to be an option.

-Tyler