Event Passes

Google Wallet tickets are becoming more than a digital entry code. Ticketmaster is introducing enhanced, customizable passes that turn event tickets into a richer information hub on Android phones.The upgrade matters because the ticket can now serve as a place to surface practical event details before arrival and while attendees are already at the venue. That shifts Google Wallet from a simple storage app into a more active part of the event experience.More than a new lookTicketmaster says it will be the first ticketing partner to offer enhanced, customizable Google Wallet tickets. The format gives artists, venues, and event organizers more room to add visual branding and important information directly to the digital pass.The new design supports custom imagery and action links. Ticketmaster says as many as 12 links can be added within a single pass, which creates far more room for practical shortcuts than a standard ticket layout.FeatureWhat it addsCustom imageryBranding and visual identity for the event or venueAction linksQuick access to event-related information and servicesUp to 12 linksMore space for multiple helpful destinations in one passThat flexibility opens the door to details such as parking information, venue guidance, and entry-point instructions. It also lets organizers direct fans to merchandise, seat upgrades, and other services tied to the event.A practical upgrade for fans and organizersFor attendees, the clearest benefit is convenience. Information that is often scattered across emails, event websites, and separate apps can now live inside the ticket itself, ready whenever it is needed.For organizers, artists, and venue operators, the update adds another way to communicate with fans. Ticket passes can now support both presentation and follow-up actions, giving the digital ticket a role beyond admission.This also reflects the broader decline of paper tickets. In that context, even a modest improvement in the look and function of a digital pass can have a noticeable impact on the overall event experience.Rollout will not be universal at firstThe feature has been announced, but it will not appear everywhere at once. Adoption depends on how quickly Ticketmaster clients move to the new Google Wallet ticket system.That means some users may see the richer pass format sooner than others, while many will still receive the standard digital version for now. The rollout also requires participation from event organizers, not just an app update.Users do not need to take any extra steps. They can continue using Ticketmaster and Google Wallet to store tickets and wait for organizers to enable the customized format.Google Wallet is adding more utilityThe ticket update arrives amid a series of other improvements in Google Wallet. The app is increasingly positioned as a home for credit cards, debit cards, and digital passes that replace much of a physical wallet.Recent changes also include a new package tracking feature and TSA-related improvements that arrived in the app during the same week. Together, those updates point to the same direction: Google Wallet is being made more useful for everyday real-world tasks.It is still unclear whether the more advanced ticket format will be ready in time for major events such as the World Cup. But with other large events ahead, including the Los Angeles Olympics, the new pass style could soon appear on a wider stage. Source: www.androidpolice.com

Google Wallet Tickets Get Smarter, Venue Info and Seat Upgrades Move Into the Pass