Apple Pay could arrive in Canada as early as March
Almost three months after its original introduction in the United States, Apple is planning to expand Apple Pay. According to a new report from 9to5Mac, the mobile payment system could arrive in Canada as early as March.
The site says that Apple is in the midst of negotiations in the country:
Sources say partners are currently in negotiations with Apple regarding the launch scheduled to come sometime in the first half of this year. Apple and Canadian launch partners are in the process of planning advertising and other promotional material for March, which indicates that the launch could come as soon as then. Of course, these are still active discussions and it’s possible the talks could fail to result in a launch by March. Several sources, however, tell us Apple is currently targeting that timeframe.
Coincidentally, or not, recent rumors are also pegging the Apple Watch to arrive during that same time frame. It would definitely make sense that Apple is hoping to expand Apple Pay with the introduction of its latest device. Late last year, a report said that the payment system should also arrive in the UK during the first half of 2015.
The Apple Pay system.
As you probably remember, the wearable, along with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, are the only devices that can be used to make in-store purchases.
The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 can be used to make online purchases with the system.
Since arriving with iOS 8.1 in the United States, the number of banks and retailers accepting the contactless payment method is continuing to grow. Earlier this week, eight new banks added support for the system. If you’re interested, take a look at our updated list of merchants, cards, and apps that accept Apple Pay.
I’ve been extremely happy using Apple Pay since it launched. My only issue is that not enough retailers accept the system. Hopefully that will change. And expanding into other countries should help increase acceptance with consumers, banks, and merchants alike.
For other news today, see: Why paid apps are now free in Europe, For the first time, Apple iPhone supplies have finally caught up with demand, and App Store prices rise in Canada, Norway, Russia and most of Europe.
