The official AMC Theaters app for Windows Phone 7 was always a half way decent effort by the company to woo users from Fandango/Flixster to going through AMC directly. Initially, the biggest gripe we had was the lack of AMC Stubs support (their ticket rewards system) but that was evidently added back in October.
A few days ago though, AMC released a second version for Windows Phone 8 users. That’s a cool deal because it means the 7.x version can still be updated separately (most devs want to have just one app to maintain, not two). The Windows Phone 8 version though is quite fantastic for a few reasons..
- It’s faster (goes without saying as WP8 allows better programming)
- Higher resolution screen support
- Lock screen image support
- Wallet integration
The first two additions are givens with Windows Phone 8 app, so not a big deal at all (though surely awesome). Those last two though are pretty killer.
We know for a fact that lockscreen (lock screen?) integration is on the high priority list for users these days and the AMC app does an admirable job in this version. As you can see by the lead image above, about 1/3 of the screen displays an image from a new hit movie, while the bottom 2/3 is grey with the AMC logo. While not a gorgeous look, it’s actually quite practical as it allows you to see your info quite easily and it keeps the lock screen consistent and elegant looking in our opinion. It also updates quite frequently, which is awesome.
The second addition is with AMC Stubs. Not only can you login to your account to view your purchase history, buy new tickets and manage things but it now ties directly into Wallet for your “virtual card”. That means you can pin the AMC Stubs card to your Start screen and with one tap, bring up the barcode for quick scanning. This will allow you to pick up your tickets or get discounts when you make a purchase. That’s hands down a super convenient feature for frequent AMC goers.
AMC Theaters has done a great job with their Windows Phone 8 version. We’re only gushing a little about it because it goes to show you how easy it can be for companies and services to take advantage of the new OS. AMC Theaters is by no means the biggest player in mobile, but like USA Today, CNN and a few other official apps, simply hiring the right developer can make a huge impact.
So if you’re on Windows Phone 8 and frequent AMC theaters, pick up their app here in the Store (Windows Phone 7.x users can still get their version here).
Reader comments
Official AMC Theaters app gets Wallet and Lock screen integration in newest version
I live in Toronto and I badly badly badly want Cineplex official app. Anyone have any idea when is it going to release ?
I wish I knew as well. We don't have AMC Theatres here and I really badly want to see companies add support for WP8 wallet to their apps. I'm missing official apps for movie theatres, coffee places (Tim Hortons please, lol) and stores with rewards cards.
I'm in Ottawa and the AMC app is only for the US and we have a few here... I'm hoping for a Cinexplex app this year as well.
Love that this now has wallet integration! If only Chase would get their act together on that.
Has anyone ever had success at having a barcode displayed on their screen read by a scanner? I was not able to get that to work on either my HD7 or my Lumia 920. Anyplace I try to use that feature the barcode number needs to be typed in by the person.
Typically if they have a hand scanner it will work...they use a different technology than most of the old surface scanners...I dont know the details but that has always been the case for me....if they use the hand scanner it works...I use it at Giant Eagle (Grocery Store) and Pets Supplies Plus all the time...
What on your phone do you get scanned at Giant Eagle or Pet Supplies Plus? I shop at both locations and didn't think that they had Apps or anything like that.
One thing to keep in mind is that it also depends on the type of hand scanner. If it's a scanner that with just a still line, there's a good chance it will work. Some scanners like to wiggle the line around to try to help read a misaligned barcode. While that's helpful for paper barcodes, it signifcanlty reduces the success rate on screens. The third most common type is actually relatively new. It's a scanner that's compatible with 2D barcodes as well the old fashioned "lined" 1D barcodes. Rather than having a red line, you'll usually see a box or crosshairs given off from the scanner. These usually have the highest success rate out of them all.
Yes, a customer rep at Kohls was able to scan a discount coupon bar code directly from my L920 screen on the first try. It works like a charm.
Good to know:-) I use it at my gym (LA Fitness) and they always have to type in the number. I also can't get it to work at the self check out at Stop & Shop. I always feel like I'm holding up the line while the person at the register or counter tries about 18 different times to scan it before I eventually have to propmt them to key it in manually.
This will come in handy when I don't feel like SIMPLY taping my search and Bing takes me to everything I need ;)
I'll try the app looks cool
No easy way to tell the difference in the app store between the two versions...
usethe QR code the wp8 is on the left and the right one is the wp7 app. If you choose the wrong one on a wp7 device it will say device not supported I still am using the 900. the wp7 app will show the original issue date and the wp8 one should show the date updated which would be in dec 2012?
Best way that I used was that the WP8 version was last updated on 12/27/12.
This is a welcoming update. WP8 has this awesome wallet feature which is not being used by companies/developers to full extent. FidMe and now AMC are two that I know of. Anyone know of other apps??
Will check the app out, even though I don't have an AMC theater in my immediate area
For me the AMC app fails to list the times for 2D and 3D screenings separately. I always resort to Flixster.
Great app, however there aren't any AMC theatre within 400 miles.
There are 2 versions in the store. Which one is for WP8? Version 1.0.0.0 or 1.1.1.0?
1.0
I was beginning to think wallet was never going to get any use at all. Hopefully this is just the start
exactly the type of brand name app Windows Phone needs to catch up on. Hopefully the floodgates open now.
Very nice! Thanks for the scoop!
I only have Carmike Cinemas in my town and it's also headquartered here. Wish they had an app for WP.
C'mon fandango and flixster, and of course msn movies.