Support for Apple Pay's Express Mode has been added to Edinburgh city's tap-on, tap-off tram network and Lothian bus services in Scotland, enabling passengers to pay for travel without unlocking their iPhone or Apple Watch.
The new functionality went live a couple of weeks ago, and it comes after a similar rollout in August for Greater Manchester, the first time a UK integrated public transport system has implemented Express Mode outside London.
Apart from allowing users to pay for rides without having to wake or unlock their iPhone, Express Mode also bypasses the need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Users simply need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless payment reader until a checkmark appears on the display.
In the Apple Wallet app, users can set a debit or credit card as their default transit option under "Express Travel Settings." When Express Mode is turned on, they only need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a transit reader to pay – no Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode required.
For most people, the card already set as their default payment method in Wallet will automatically be used for Express Mode, but this can be changed anytime in Settings.
Express Mode is available in major cities worldwide, including London, New York, Beijing, Tokyo, and Sydney.
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. At the time,...
Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.
There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch.
Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More
Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
A newly surfaced resale operation is seemingly offering Apple Store–exclusive display accessories to the public for the first time, potentially giving consumers access to Apple-designed hardware that the company has historically kept confined to its retail environments.
Apple designs a range of premium MagSafe charging stands, display trays, and hardware systems exclusively for displays in ...
I wish trains all over Scotland used it and the Glasgow subway. We do have a universal smart card but such as pain in the ass getting on trains having to scan a QR code or buy a physical ticket for the subway. Not sure about buses because I can’t remember the last time I was even on a public bus. (Edit: seems buses do have it.)
Have been too spoiled travelling around London which is so easy and effortless. I know Edinburgh is the capital but it’s a much smaller city. You’d think Glasgow would have this all in place but nope.
It's amazing how such a simple thing can make your life so much easier. I spend most of my time using NY and London transit, so it's jarring when I'm somewhere else and don't have it available.
