The user would use Passbook and the 2D barcode to pay at any register that scans barcodes and the transaction steps would be similar to those for the Starbucks app.

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The consumer places his or her mobile device under the imager, the 2D barcode is read, and the POS treats the tender like a gift card, following the usual payment verification procedure.

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In the past, you had to give it an email address, wait for the email, open it, hit the link in the body, and bring up a browser window with the boarding pass and 2D barcode.

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SpyderLynk, for instance, has developed Snap Tags, an application-free alternative to a 2D mobile barcode that works with either a standard or smart phone.

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