Traveling during the holiday season often comes with its share of hassles, but Google is working to ease one particular pain point – obtaining and accessing boarding passes.
A recent development in Chrome Canary, the pre-beta version for developers, suggests that Google is gearing up to automate the process of retrieving boarding pass information on Android devices.
The new feature, aptly named the “Boarding Pass Detector,” was spotted by code sleuth AssembleDebug from GApps Flags & Leaks on Telegram.
This addition to Chrome Canary, discovered in mid-November, aims to simplify the retrieval of boarding pass details by using a predetermined list of airline URLs.
This means that when a user opens a tab, Chrome will check for any relevant boarding pass data, such as bar codes or ticket numbers.
The scope of this feature isn’t limited to airlines; it has the potential to extend to other modes of transportation, including bus trips, train rides, and even monorail lifts.
The automated detection of ticket information could significantly benefit users across various travel scenarios.
How does it work? According to GApps Flags & Leaks, once Chrome identifies relevant data on an opened tab, it is likely to integrate with Google Wallet.
This aligns with Google’s previous efforts to streamline the ticketing process.
In October, users gained the ability to add generic passes to Google Wallet through photos and screenshots, allowing for a ticketless entry experience.
While the specifics of how Google will handle the detected data remain unclear, it is reasonable to assume that the information will find its way into a custom boarding pass within the Wallet app.
This streamlined approach not only enhances user convenience but also aligns with the broader trend towards digitizing and simplifying travel-related processes.
The boarding pass detector feature reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to enhancing user experience across its products.
By leveraging Chrome Canary as a testing ground for new features, Google demonstrates its dedication to refining tools before making them accessible to the wider public.
As we eagerly await further details and a potential rollout of this feature, it’s clear that Google is actively addressing common pain points in travel, striving to make the journey as seamless as possible for Android users.
The integration of technology to automate boarding pass retrieval is a small but significant step toward a more user-friendly travel experience.
