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Walgreens Planning for October 18 Apple Pay Launch

Saturday October 11, 2014 12:50 pm PDT by Juli Clover
An internal memo addressed to Walgreens employees designed to prepare them for the upcoming launch of Apple Pay suggests that Apple's new payments service might be going live on Saturday, October 18.

A Saturday launch is unusual, but it could make sense as Apple Pay is designed for in-store shopping and a weekend debut would give customers time to try the service. It is, however, also possible that Apple Pay will go live shortly before the October 18 date, following the company's Thursday, October 16 iPad event, with support coming to Walgreens a day or two later.

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At its October 16 event, Apple is expected to debut a new iPad Air, Retina iMacs, and possibly a new Retina iPad mini. The event, which will also likely see Apple previewing OS X Yosemite one last time before its public debut, would also be an opportune time to divulge more information about Apple Pay and possibly even launch the payments service.

As announced on September 9, popular drug store Walgreens is one of Apple's major launch partners, along with other companies like McDonalds, Macy's, Staples, and more. According to the Walgreens memo, customers who have an iPhone 6 will be able to use Apple Pay in Walgreens stores by tapping their devices "to the upper portion of the pinpad to pay for their purchase."

Earlier this week, USAA assistant vice president Vikram Parekh suggested the bank would begin supporting Apple Pay on November 7, leading many to believe the service might see an official launch on that date, but it is possible that USAA and other banks may roll out support at different times following the launch of Apple Pay. Apple originally promised an October launch for Apple Pay when it unveiled the service.

Apple Pay will be enabled on iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices through an update to iOS 8. iOS 8.1, which has already been seeded to developers, includes hidden Apple Pay settings and set up screens. With Apple Pay set to launch on or around the time of Apple's October 16 event, that also means we should be seeing iOS 8.1 at that time as well.

Thanks, Enrique!

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
[ 199 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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farewelwilliams
59 months ago
can't wait to buy condoms with my iPhone 6+.
Rating: 54 Votes
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Mac'nCheese
59 months ago

can't wait to buy condoms with my iPhone 6+.


Just make sure the ladies in the store see you buying them all cool like with the new iphone. You'll be back for more in no time.
Rating: 28 Votes
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Zelmung
59 months ago

I got really excited until I got to the USAA on November 7 part... dang it, we will be in and out of Disney the 17-20th, and I wanted to travel lighter!


Seems like a terrible idea to travel without your credit cards.
Rating: 25 Votes
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taptic
59 months ago
This is what sets Apple apart from other tech companies. They are coordinated and when they set their minds to it, they can get something implemented quickly and correctly.
Rating: 13 Votes
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joshwenke
59 months ago
Well, I guess that means I'll be shopping at Walgreens! :D

Hope more stores take the lead on this one.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Mac'nCheese
59 months ago

Buying Gold wrappers would be more epic



Well if you're rocking a 6+, you are probably buying the magnums.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Traverse
59 months ago

they can get something implemented quickly and correctly.


This... Remains to be seen. I don't have much confidence as of late.
Rating: 10 Votes
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dontwalkhand
59 months ago
CVS has it already. All this article does is say Apple Pay will launch on Oct 18!

Hopefully iOS 8.1 will not only bring Apple Pay but fix these horrendous wifi issues I've been having!
Rating: 9 Votes
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Narg
59 months ago

This is what sets Apple apart from other tech companies. They are coordinated and when they set their minds to it, they can get something implemented quickly and correctly.


Wow, you live under a rock don't you??? You should get out a look around once in a while...
Rating: 9 Votes
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TraceyS/FL
59 months ago

I've seen NFC payment at some businesses long before Apple announced ApplePay, so isApple just sort of adopting them and calling them ApplePay?


Apple Pay uses standard NFC, the Apple part is between your bank and what is on the phone, all backend stuff. Anywhere that takes NFC payments should take Apple Pay without issue (hmmm, which should mean US peeps traveling outside of the US can use it right?)
Rating: 8 Votes

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