16 Feb – Cinemagoers can now purchase tickets for their favourite GSC and TGV cinemas using a recently launched application that can be downloaded to iPhones, iPads and Android devices, as announced during the smartphone app launch on Friday, 11 February 2011.
The application by Maxis allows one to buy tickets and choose seats on smartphones integrated into GSC and TGV's electronic purchase systems while PayPal's mobile payment services are to ensure that all payment is simple and secure in just two clicks.
Maxis also launched a "Buy-1, Get-1 Free" movie ticket offer every Tuesday for movies screened after 6pm. To be eligible for it, customers have to purchase their tickets using this Maxis Movies application.
At the launch event, it is also learnt that prior to its official launch, the Maxis Movie application has already seen over 70,000 downloads.
Some users have claimed that there is difficulty proceeding with the PayPal payment on 'jail-break' phones which have been adjusted to bypass payment for application downloads on Apple's AppStore.
Before the advent of mobile purchase, cinemagoers have already been making reservations on mobile via Short Messaging System (SMS), menu-based services like EasyAccess on Maxis and STK on DiGi, as well as the open WAP platform since year 2000 with technical enabling by Cinema Online.
Many may remember how quickly tickets for blockbusters were snapped up while attempting mobile reservation over the years as reservations did not require cinemagoers to commit a payment for their tickets up-front.
Although this new service is limited to only Maxis subscribers, there are already developments in place where mobile ticket purchase will be independent of mobile operators.