Apple Pay now enjoys 1,000 US card issuers

Apple Pay, Apple's mobile payments platform tied to iPhone and Apple Watch now has 1,000 US card issuers as it makes a push to get more retailers into the fold. The company only has 998 banks and credit unions, but other issuers include retailers BJ's Wholesale Club and Kohl's. The service is available in 2 million locations and is also expected to expand into new countries like Spain and China. Apple Pay is available in Canada but only for American Express customers. We're hoping that other banks and credit cards will offer the service soon.

Source: Apple

Square diversifies, launches NFC reader for small businesses to accept Apple Pay

Square has become the leading solutions provider for peer-to-peer payments and the easiest way for small businesses and merchants to accept credit card payments using an iOS or Android device, is now making a new NFC reader compatible with Apple Pay available in the US. 100  small businesses will be able to test the reader before it goes public. Business owners can buy the Square reader for $49 to begin allowing customers the option to use Apple Pay in the US. We reached out to Square Canada and they currently don't have anything to announce, but we'll keep stay tuned.

Apple's Personal Pickup service now available in Canada

Canadians now have the option of buying items from Apple online and picking the item up at their nearest Apple Retail Store. The Personal Pickup option is ideal for saving time and money on shipping and works well for highly anticipated or 'must-have' Apple products or accessories, like an Apple Pencil for your one-week-old iPad Pro.

The service enables customers to choose and play for their items through an app and simply present proof of payment at a chosen or designated store to pick up their item. This speeds up the process considerably and is a great option for anyone who knows what they want or who doesn't relish the prospect of having to visit a crowded store during peak hours. Personal Pickup in Canada comes at the heels of the initial availability of Apple Pay in Canada.

American Express customers can now enjoy Apple Pay in Canada

Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president in charge of Apple Pay says that American Express cards are easiest to support at launch. Photo By Gadjo C. Sevilla/ Canadianreviewer.com

Canadians who are American Express customers and who own iPhones and Apple Watches, rejoice! Apple Pay is now available in Canada. Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president in charge of Apple Pay says that American Express cards are easiest to support at launch because AmEx is both the payment network operator and the card issuer, whereas other payment networks like Visa and MasterCard work with financial institutions to issue cards that work on their network.

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