Apple has already announced that it launched Apple Pay this October though it did not mentioned the exact date. The Business Insider however, got hold of an alleged leaked memo from Walgreens.
The alleged document is an internal memo for the employees of Walgreens. It was to inform that they will soon accept payments made thru Apple Pay by Saturday on October 18. Mac Rumors even speculated that Apple's first mobile payment may even be launched earlier. The post believes that the Apple Pay launch will coincide with iPad event on October 16.
Walgreens is just one of several establishments that will accept Apple Pay, by its launch date and some of the Apple partners include Staples, Macy and McDonalds.
In the memo, Walgreens customers can pay for their purchases using Apple Pay with their iPhone 6. On the screen buyer needs to tap "the upper portion of the pinpad to pay for their purchases."
Official bank support for the Apple Pay may come later. Vikram Parekh, assistant vice president for USAA, mentioned that his bank may support Apple Pay by November 7 though, it is not clear if all the banks would officially support Apple Pay on the same date or if each pay will have their own support date.
Users of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus who are still using the iOS 8 will need to update their OS in order to take advantage of the Apple Pay. iOS upgrades now includes and supports Apple Pay. Another Mac Rumor report has said that the new Apple Watch also supports Apple Pay.
Apple Pay works by simply holding your iPhone at the cashier or terminal of the participating outlet while your finger is pressed on the Touch ID. This payment scheme is made possible through current NFC technology. Online payments thru apps can also be made by a simple tap and Touch ID verification. Comments about the use of Apple Pay were described as "remarkably smooth."
