Apple offered at its September “special event” today a credit plan for its phones backed by Citizens Bank.
But where was Apple Pay?
A June Forbes article declared “almost no one” is using the mobile payments service, and the gloom hung over Apple Pay all summer. Samsung Pay launched, Android Pay was teased by Google, and still Apple Pay numbers (where they could even be found) were paltry. Then comes today’s insult. Apple held a monster conference today to show off new iPhones, new Apple watches, a giant new iPad, and Apple TV, and Apple Pay was nowhere to be seen.
Or was it?
An app for the high-end shopping service Gilt, presented by CEO (and ex-Citibanker) Michelle Peluso, showed a “Buy Now” button. What would that be in an Apple product today but Apple Pay? Yet, the service wasn’t mentioned. Commerce was implicit rather than explicit through much of the day’s events, with apps and services flashing across the big screen, but the nitty gritty nastiness of payments was swept under the rug.
Apple did reveal that upgrade plan for its new phones, financed by Citizens One personal loans from Citizens Bank, and offered a Barclaycard with Apple Rewards on its site. Citizens Bank cards and Barclaycard participate in Apple Pay. Citizens Bank also offers loans through Apple’s educational payment plans for students and teachers.
In all, today Apple showed a new and enhanced Apple TV product (controlled by Siri); new Apple Watches; two news phones, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus; and an iPad with a 12.9″ screen.
Oh yeah, and you can still use Apple Pay.