iPhone owners making their way to Rod Laver in Melbourne might experience more than just a good game of tennis. They’ll also potentially see the future of event tickets.
The humble mobile phone does a whole lot more than simply acting as a phone, and you only need to glance at what you use it for to find that out. It’s a camera, a video camera, a media player, an email system, a way to stay social, and even a way to pay for things.
And these days, it’s also your ticket into events.
Have a ticket sent to your phone for a theatrical performance or sporting event, or even a boarding pass for a flight out of town, and you’ll know this already, but it still can evolve that little bit more.
In fact, folks heading to the Australian Open with an iPhone in hand may be among the first to experience that in Australia, as Ticketmaster launches a more interactive style of ticket pass locally.
It’s part of iOS 18, and something only iPhone owners get to experience, as Australian Open ticketed events stored in an Apple Wallet gain a little more than the barcode needed to gain entry.
Rather, they’ll also get venue information, maps, and even customised Apple Music playlists directly from the ticket inside the wallet, effectively expanding the experience beyond simply telling you which door to enter and which seat to sit down at.
The feature was introduced as part of iOS 18, and can technically cover wallet items for a variety of events, though in Australia, Ticketmaster’s handling of the Australian Open ticketing appears to be the first place we’re seeing this one provided for locals.
As for what happens if you’re an Android customer or someone with an iPhone and yet uses Spotify, you’ll miss out on some of those extras. The enhanced ticket is just an iOS 18 feature, and the music playlist is specifically there for Apple Music customers, though folks who don’t subscribe will be able to see the list.
