Overview
First there was payWave, then there was Cardless Cash (thank you, Commonwealth), and also PayPal Here, which allows you to pay for coffee and things via Bluetooth from your PayPal account. These got us closer to the minimalist, tech-driven dream — a cashless, cardless (and, effectively, wallet-less) society — but not quite there. That's all set to change though, with Apple switching on their mobile payment system, Apple Pay.
Launching today with payments provider eWAY, Apple Pay will make poor buying decisions even more effortless, with one-touch payments online, within apps and IRL — if you have an iPhone and use AMEX, that is. At the moment, Apple Pay can only be used on the Apple Watch or iPhone 6 and above, by those with a directly-issued American Express credit card. Which would seemingly rule out most people under 50.
But I digress. Already in use in the US and the UK, the Australian launch comes in a rather inevitable move towards doing everything on that little pocket-sized piece of machinery you call your iPhone. For the moment, Apple Pay is accepted at around 21,000 retailers, including David Jones, Coles, Woolworths and Zara. You can even pay for your Uber ride with it and, most deliciously, your late-night pad Thai deliveries from Eat Now.
To use Apple Pay, you'll need to add your card to the Wallet app. Then, just use the iPhone's Touch ID to make in-app purchases, or hold your phone near the contactless reader in-store.
If Australia is to follow suit of the US, Visa and MasterCard should be accepted by Apple Pay in the near future. At least, let’s hope so. That extra bit of plastic in your pocket is weighing you down.