Apple launched Apple Pay in the US last year, in October. Starting this week, the UK is the first country to benefit from Apple's mobile wallet. Of course you'll need an Apple device, and a recent one: iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 are required, because they feature Touch ID, the finger print reader. You can also use an Apple Watch, as long as it's paired to a mobile not older than the iPhone 5. Once you've stored your cards details on the Passbook app, you can start using Apple Pay, online or in stores, as well as in public transport.
Visa, American Express and Mastercard have joined up, as well as Ulster Bank, NatWest, Santander, Nationwide, MBNA and the Royal Bank of Scotland. Bank of Scotland, Halifax, HSBC, LLOYDS Bank, M&S Bank and TSB should sign up very soon. As for the shops, more than 250,000 offer the service, including Waitrose, Boots, Marks & Spencer, Spar, Subway, Lidl, KFC, to name a few. Right now the payments using Apple Pay with contactless terminals in stores are limited to £20 but it will rise to £30 in September.
*Photo: Apple
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Can you imagine getting into a shop, collect items of your preference, and walk out?