According to an internal memo distributed within restaurant chain Panera Bread, Apple Pay will be available to consumers as soon as October 20, 2014. Likely mentioned by Apple in tomorrow’s press conference related to the new iPad models, consumers can expect to be able to use Apple Pay in more than 200,000 stores. Leaked by Apple enthusiast site 9to5Mac, the Panera Bread memo indicates that the company expects to see an influx of Apple users that will want to use Apple pay on the first day of the launch.
Likely similar to other featured Apple Pay retail partners, Panera Bread is training employees on how to accept an Apple Pay payment as well as payment platforms that include Google Wallet and Softcard. The company also plans on displaying information about accepting Apple Pay on doors or windows as well as promoting the use of Apple Pay in an email sent to all MyPanera Rewards members. Besides Panera Bread, other popular companies that will be supporting Apple Pay either on October 20 or near the official launch will include Target, McDonalds, Starbucks, Uber, Staples and Disney.
The Apple Pay launch should coincide with the launch of iOS 8.1, an update to iOS 8 that’s expected to bring some performance improvements, iCloud Drive functionality and more security updates. In addition, Apple is also working on iOS updates 8.2 and 8.3 according to traffic data reports on various tech news sites.
Yet another leak on Apple’s site displayed information on the iPad Mini 3 as well as the iPad Air 2. Both tablets are expected to include Touch ID as well as burst mode when shooting photos, the A8X processor for improved performance and color options that are identical to the two iPhone 6 models.
