Mobile Payment

“Apple Cash” money transfer service and virtual prepaid cards due in 2017?

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 27, 2017

Sources speaking with Recode reiterated today that Apple is still planning to debut its own money-transfer service akin to PayPal's Venmo that could launch later this year. Tentatively named Apple Cash, the peer-to-peer service would zap payments from users' checking accounts to recipients through their Apple devices, basically allowing iPhone owners to send cash to friends and family members digitally.

The Cupertino giant could partner with Visa on a system that would let users obtain virtual Apple-branded prepaid cards. Running on Visa's debit network, those digital cards could be tied directly into the firm's rumored peer-to-peer thing.

Moreover, users would be permitted to register them with Apple Pay to use when making credit-card and debit-card payments in stores with their Apple devices. The card number could also be used to make purchases on websites and in apps.

Apple Pay goes live in Taiwan

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 20, 2017

As noted on Apple's website, the Apple Pay mobile payment service is now available to customers in Taiwan. Financial institutions supporting the service include Cathay United Bank, CTBC Bank, E. Sun Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, Taishin International Bank and Union Bank of Taiwan.

Apple Pay launches in Ireland, coming to Italy and Taiwan soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 7, 2017

Apple Pay has officially expanded to Ireland today for customers of KBC and Ulster Bank, two of the country's big four banking institutions. The service also works with EU's Boon prepay system tied to MasterCard. Irish customers who register their Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards via the Wallet app can start using the service to pay securely for goods in “tens of thousands” of stores, including Aldi, Boots, Burger King, Harvey Norman and Lidl.

Apple Pay is also supported in compatible apps and on some websites. The Cupertino company has added related Apple Pay details to its regional website in Italy, signaling an imminent launch in the 60 million people market. Also, major banks have recently gained regulatory approval to launch Apple's payments service in Taiwan.

Siri for Apple Watch is about to get much more useful

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 25, 2017

In addition to highlighting a new Theater Mode in watchOS 3.2, Apple yesterday announced that the upcoming software update will also enable support for Siri in third-party Apple Watch apps. As you probably know by now, the SiriKit framework made its debut in iOS 10.

It's an officially sanctioned way for developers to enrich their apps for messaging, payments, ride-booking, workouts, calling and searching photos with Siri interactions.

With SiriKit support in watchOS 3.2, developers can add spoken commands to Apple Watch apps to let users ask the personal assistant on their wrist to do things like book a ride, send a message, make a payment or accomplish other supported tasks.

ChargePoint electric vehicle stations added to Apple Maps with Apple Pay support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 11, 2024

ChargePoint operates the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network. As of today, ChargePoint's electric vehicle stations in the U.S. can be found through Apple Maps, as reported by 9to5Mac. And because ChargePoint accepts Apple Pay, users can even initiate charging via Apple Maps and complete their payment with a touch of a finger.

ChargePoint locations appear on the map as badges that can be tapped to reveal information like business hours, pricing, whether or not they accept Apple Pay at that particular location and more.

Apple Pay launches in Spain

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 1, 2016

Apple Pay today launched in Spain, the thirteenth market for the mobile payments service since its inception more than two years ago. According to Apple's website and the official Apple Pay support document, the service is available in the 46 million people country with launch support for debit and credit cards from Banco de Santander, Carrefour, Ticket Restaurant and American Express.

Nonprofits in U.S. now able to accept donations using Apple Pay

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 14, 2016

Apple announced that nonprofit organizations in the United States are now able to accept donations using Apple Pay. In the past, Apple accepted various charity donations via iTunes billing. With support for Apple Pay, donors now have one more option when sending money to various charities. Apple says a total of 19 U.S. nonprofits will start accepting Apple Pay donations starting this morning.

Some of them include household names such as American Red Cross, (RED), Save the Children, UNICEF and World Wildlife Fund. Other nonprofits will be implementing Apple Pay support over the coming months.

“Hey Siri, send Sébastien $100 using PayPal”

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 10, 2016

PayPal's iPhone and iPad application was updated on the App Store this morning with support for iOS 10's SiriKit integration for mobile payments, allowing you to send and request money in 30 countries around the world using just your voice.

With a simple voice command like “Send $20 to Dad using PayPal” or “Request $20 from John with PayPal”, Siri connects with the PayPal service and pulls up a custom sheet with details of your transaction before you authorize it.

Apple promotes exclusive holiday offers available to users of Apple Pay on the web

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 19, 2018

Apple has set up a new webpage at apple.com/apple-pay/holiday/ which provides a list of exclusive holiday offers from a number of retailers that are available with Apple Pay on the web, which recently launched with built-in support for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra devices.

“Experience the fast and secure way to shop online with Apple Pay, now on the web in Safari,” reads Apple's notice, adding that would-be shoppers receive exclusive benefits such as free rush shipping, discounts and other rewards.

Commuters struggling to register their train passes following Japan’s Apple Pay launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 25, 2016

Following its official launch in Japan, Apple Pay has experienced a rocky debut in the 127 million people market as commuters struggled to register their train passes onto iPhones for more than ten hours amid apparent system overload.

Many people in Japan use their rail passes that double as electronic money cards.

According to Bloomberg, the trouble started shortly after 9am in Tokyo as users began reporting issues adding their cards to Apple Pay.

Apple Pay launches in Japan

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 24, 2016

Apple Pay today launched in Japan, one of Apple's most important markets and home to population of 127 million souls. Marking its twelfth major market, Apple Pay permits Japanese customers to make private credit and prepaid card purchases in stores, online and in apps, plus commute and pay for everyday items with Suica from JR East.

To support the service, Apple today issued the free iOS 10.1 software update which has enabled support for transit directions in Japan to help users find ride details, including fare breakdowns that automatically show Suica pricing on their device.

Apple Pay could launch in Germany soon

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 21, 2016

Apple Pay could launch in its fifth European country soon. As first discovered by German blog iPhone-ticker.de, Apple's support document highlighting participating banks and card issuers for Apple Pay in Europe appears to have accidentally highlighted Germany on a world map, suggesting the next possible expansion for the iPhone-driven service.