Apple Pay reportedly scheduled to be launched on Oct. 20
Apple Pay is scheduled to be launched on Monday, Oct. 20.
That’s according to leaked internal information shared by MacRumors and 9to5Mac. The former reports that an unidentified launch partner for Apple Pay has finished its staff training for the mobile payment service in time for an Oct. 20 launch. The latter, for its part, has obtained a memo circulated within Panera Bread, another Apple Pay launch partner, indicating the same launch date:
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.
These new reports contradict the Oct. 18 launch date suggested last week by an internal memo sent to store managers of Walgreens, also an Apple Pay launch partner.
At any rate, and at any date, Apple Pay is expected to be launched later this month alongside iOS 8.1. Its official rollout is more than likely to be announced by Apple at its special media event tomorrow, Oct. 16.
The event is all but confirmed to see the unveiling of at least the new versions of the iPad Air and the iPad mini. According to an iPad user guide for iOS 8.1 accidentally leaked by Apple itself, the “iPad Air 2″ and the “iPad mini 3″ both support Touch ID, enabling the devices to be used for Apple Pay within apps.
Apple Pay will also work with the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, and the upcoming Apple Watch for authorizing contactless payments at brick-and-mortar stores.