Around the Net
Apple Partners With Daily Dealer Pirq
- TechCunch, Tuesday, May 8, 2012 12:49 PM
Apple this week partnered up with Pirq to develop an iPhone app that will offer food and drink daily deals to its Bay Area employees. A source tells TechCrunch that this is the first part of a potential “four phase” implementation that could see Apple offering a deals service out to all iPhone users. “As device makers like RIM, Samsung and Nokia incorporate NFC technology into their mobile devices, Apple has been radio silent on what its plans will be in mobile commerce and payments,” TechCrunch writes. This deal with Pirg, however, “could be a clue to one area where Apple might see a big opportunity.”
The iPhone app will use location-based technology, as well as a Microsoft Tag code for users to redeem their discounts. With it, users will be able to receive discounts of between 20 percent and 50 percent at nearly 50 venues in Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Mountain View. What’s more, “It is Pirq’s jumping-off point for offering a wider service in San Francisco further down the line -- within the next 12 months,” TechCrunch writes. Since launching in late 2011, Pirq’s service has only been available in Seattle. Meanwhile, both Pirq and Apple have an existing relationship with daily dealer Passport Unlimited. Pirq’s chairman, Roger Blier, is the founder and CEO of Passport Unlimited.
