Apple's new mobile payments service, Apple Pay, may be enabled shortly after its Thursday iPad-centric media event, according to internal information leaked from various retailers and credit card companies.
Employees that work for one of Apple's major Apple Pay credit card partners have already finished their Apple Pay training and have been told that the payments service will be released on Monday, October 20, according to an employee who shared the information with MacRumors.
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Similarly, a lengthy internal memo from Panera Bread obtained by 9to5Mac also suggests that Apple will launch Apple Pay on Monday, October 20.
As you are aware, Panera is a featured partner with Apple in their announcement of the iPhone 6 and the new Apple Pay platform. Now, we are excited to share that Apple is very close to releasing Apple Pay and actually planning to launch on October 20th.
Panera, like many other Apple retail partners, is currently training its employees on how to accept Apple Pay payments through the company's Verifone point-of-sale-systems. Panera has provided a short training video for managers and cashiers, along with an FAQ and talking points.
Last week, an internal memo addressed to Walgreens employees suggested that Apple was planning to launch Apple Pay on October 18, so it is a bit unclear when Apple Pay will actually go live for consumers. A weekend debut is an odd choice for Apple, lending credence to the Monday, October 20 date.
USAA, one of Apple's bank partners, has said that it plans to begin supporting Apple Pay on November 7, suggesting that retailers and banks will begin rolling out support for the service at different times.
Whether planned for October 18 or October 20, the launch of Apple Pay appears to be imminent, and as Apple Pay will be enabled via an update to iOS 8, the launch of iOS 8.1 is also coming in the next few days. First seeded to developers in late September, iOS 8.1 contains hidden references to Apple Pay.
Apple Pay's exact debut date will likely be revealed during Apple's October 16 media event, which will see the company introducing a new iPad Air, a new Retina iPad mini and a Retina iMac. Both of Apple's new iPads include support for Touch ID and will allow users to make purchases within apps using Apple Pay.
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And after having one credit card and my debit card being compromised, I welcome Apple Pay wholeheartedly....
1. You're standing in line already holding your phone responding to a text or something. Now you're next to check out. Put your finger over the Touch ID sensor, hold it up to the scanner, and bam, you're done. OR, you can put your phone away, pull your wallet out, pick the right card, swipe, failed swipe, swipe again, put in your pin/sign your name with those crappy e-pens that only work half the time... Yeah, I'd rather just move that phone that's already in my hand a few inches toward the register and be done with it.
2. It's 2014. A lot of people carry their phones with them everywhere but not necessarily huge wallets or purses. Many people also have multiple credit/debit/gift/reward cards. Consolidating all that into that phone you ALREADY carry around with you everywhere is definitely more convenient.
3. Apple Pay will be much safer. No one ever gets a chance to look at your CC number. No one can see you enter your pin. No one can use a scanning device to get your magnetic strip data. No one can steal your fingerprint. Apple Pay doesn't transmit your CC number, your name, or any information about you specifically to the retailer, so when that retailer inevitably gets hacked, the hackers don't have any of your data because the retailer never had your data to begin with. Yes, Apple Pay is MUCH safer.
4. Apple Pay actually solves several problems (listed above).
5. The new iPhones get great battery life, especially a 6 Plus like mine, which can go two days easily without being plugged in (although why would that be necessary in 2014 when outlets and chargers are all over the place -- in your home, in your car, at your office, I've seen airports and restaurants that have charging stations with adapters for several different phone brands, etc.).
But, sure, continue to think that Apple Pay is a gimmick. Don't use it. Get your financial information stolen. Have fun with that.
I've had my credit card compromised at 3 of the merchants you listed.
My CC has been replaced 3 times in the last 18 months or so.
Soooo looking forward to Apple Pay!
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