Walgreens, CVS Expected to Partner With Apple for Mobile Payments Service - MacRumors
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Walgreens, CVS Expected to Partner With Apple for Mobile Payments Service

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Popular drugstores Walgreens and CVS are expected to partner with Apple on its upcoming mobile payments initiative, accepting purchases made with the company's new iPhone payment system, reports Re/code.

CVS and Walgreens are expected to accept purchases made with the new iPhone payment system, details of which Apple plans to announce Tuesday, according to a person briefed on the plans. With more than 15,000 locations combined, acceptance by the two chains will give Apple a huge footprint if all of their stores are involved.

Earlier this week, Apple was rumored to be partnering with retailer Nordstrom, leading to fears that its upcoming payments service would be limited to higher-end retailers, but it appears that Apple will also be aiming to sign deals with stores people visit regularly. As noted by Re/code, getting stores that people frequent on board could lead to quick acceptance of the new mobile payment service.

easypay_concept

EasyPay mobile payments concept by Ricardo Del Toro

Re/code's report also divulges some information on how the system might work, allowing shoppers to "wave or tap" their iPhones at checkout terminals. The service is said to work over NFC, transmitting payment information from the phone when the device is near the store's checkout area. NFC may, however, be supplemented by other wireless technologies, and Touch ID is expected to be integrated into the system for added security.

Sources caution that Apple's payment system may in some cases employ additional wireless technologies either in conjunction with, or in place of, NFC. The new payment method will also likely include the use of fingerprint identification already available on the latest iPhones as an added security measure.

In addition to inking deals with various retailers to support the system, Apple has also established deals with major credit card companies Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, as well as credit card issuers.

Apple is expected to unveil its mobile payments service on Tuesday, along with the iPhone 6 and its much-anticipated wearable device. Both the iWatch and the iPhone 6 are said to play an important role in the new mobile payment service, as the two devices are rumored to include support for NFC.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
Related Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+

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Top Rated Comments

I
ianKent
155 months ago
Can't wait to go gum-shopping wih my $400 watch.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
juanrp Avatar
juanrp
155 months ago
I need Walmart to get on this list because its the only place I'll be able to shop at after I drop the money for this phone.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dulcimer Avatar
Dulcimer
155 months ago
I don't understand Apple's mobile payments service. Perhaps someone can explain it to me. I thought they signed on with the major credit card companies, so wouldn't you just use your iPhone in place of your credit card? What's the purpose of signing on these stores?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
BruiserB
155 months ago
The more proprietary this is, the less universal it will become. My hope is it will work with any terminal that can take NFC enabled cards and that is also compatible with Android phones, etc.

If Apple wants to enhance the functionality by integrating store loyalty cards, etc. on a retailer by retailer basis, I'm fine with that, but I hope basic payment functionality is widely available at any store that has an NFC enabled card reader.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
Izauze
155 months ago
Already making payments with Google wallet at my local CVS, Rite Aid, Wegman's, etc. Apple late to the party again :apple:

Ah, so you're the one using Google Wallet!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
fallenjt
155 months ago
Already making payments with Google wallet at my local CVS, Rite Aid, Wegman's, etc. Apple late to the party again :apple:
Wow...good for you using Google wallet in a few stores out of 100 millions stores...Apple is never too late. They just enter the market when it's mature, not like Google and others....one example: Google Glass-good device + wrong time = DOA. Samsung Gear- first on market + half bake = sh.t sale.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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