Apple Inc. (AAPL) to Use Passbook at POS in Apple Stores

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been on the cutting edge of point-of-sale technology for a little while, using its own EasyPay software to allow Apple Store customers to easily scan their cards for purchases. Now with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) developing its Passbook mobile app, the company is now looking to  integrate Pass book with its current EasyPay system to basically allow Apple Store patrons to use their iDevices to make purchases – perhaps even the new one the customer just bought?

Passbook is a new feature that is embedded in the new operating system or iPhones and iPads, and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has indicated that it will accept Passbook as a channel of mobile payments for products purchased inside its retail Apple Stores. Currently, Apple Stores use EasyPay for employees to check out customers with a credit card, or customers can check themselves out by using a card number linked to their Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iTunes account, if they have one. Similar software is being used at other retail stores.

Later this month, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to release an app update for EasyPay that supposedly will allow employees with EasyPay to catch Apple Store payment card numbers from customers’ iPhones and iPod Touches that run the Passbook app. There is talk, however, that the EasyPay hardware may not be able to scan certain iDevice displays. There is also expected to be a new consumer-based Apple Store app update that will allow for the EasyPay-Passbook integration, through the release date is not known at this point.

If the ease of purchasing Apple devices is enhanced, could this help sales of iDevices? Does this help enhance the bottom line and improve efficiency of store operations? If you’re an investor in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock – like billionaire fund manager David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital – do you think the point-of-sales changes will help you and the stock price?