PURCHASE, N.Y. & CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple recently unveiled Apple Pay, which will allow MasterCard cardholders to use their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch for everyday purchases. Owners of the new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch will be able to use their MasterCard credit or debit cards from participating banks directly through Apple Pay.
Purchase, N.Y.-based MasterCard worked with Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple to deliver a "seamless and secure" payment experience. For consumers and merchants, that means that every purchase made with a MasterCard using iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch will offer the security, benefits and guarantees of any MasterCard transaction.
At a store, consumers can pay by holding their iPhone near a contactless reader with their finger on Touch ID and their transaction will be authenticated. For purchases within an app, consumers will touch to pay and authenticate with their fingerprint or passcode for a seamless experience without having to enter their card number or leave the app.
Apple Pay will be made available for U.S. consumers via a free update to iOS 8 this October. MasterCard cardholders will be able to make secure payments in the apps of top merchants, as well as contactless payments at some of the most frequented U.S. locations including major stores, restaurants, transit providers, gas station and convenience stores and all Apple Store locations.
Payments via Apple Pay integrate with the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service (MDES). Announced last year, this service, provided by MasterCard to banks, allows a connected device to be used for everyday shopping and payments. In addition to the banks announced by Apple, MasterCard is working with its partners to bring additional banks on board quickly through the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service.
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