Apple's virtual wallet is set to launch on Oct. 18, according to rumors stemming from a purported screenshot of Apple Pay directives to a Walgreens store manager.
The alleged launch of Apple Pay would come just two days after Apple holds its upcoming media event, officially set for Oct., 16, which could present an ideal opportunity for the Cupertino tech company to talk up its payment strategy
The screenshot supposedly shows guidelines for setting up Apple Pay and is said to have circulated around Walgreens.
The memo, which was obtained and posted by MacRumors, says Walgreens will be one of the "participating retailers," indicating other merchants will be a part of the Oct. 18 launch if the image is, in fact, authentic.
Apple Pay will make use of near-field communications radios inside mobile devices with its Touch ID feature, enabling consumers to pay for goods and service with a scan of a finger.
Apple has received the support of financial institutions that include Bank of America, Capital One, Citi, Chase and Wells Fargo. It says it anticipates bringing on board Barclaycard, Navy Federal, PNC, USAA and US Bank.
Some of the merchants already on board with Apple Pay include McDonalds, Whole Foods, Staples, Nike and Disney. Apple says its mobile payments system will be accepted at over 220,000 stores.
"Now paying in stores happens in one natural motion -- there's no need to open an app or even wake your display thanks to the innovative Near Field Communication antenna in iPhone 6," says Apple. "To pay, just hold your iPhone near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID. You don't even have to look at the screen to know your payment information was successfully sent."
Apple Pay had been rumored beforehand, but it was officially announced at the tech firm's Sept. 9 media event. At its Oct. 16 presentation, Apple is widely expected to show off OS X Yosemite and refreshes of the iPad line to equip the tablets with the Touch ID functionality required to participate in Apple Pay.
Like Apple's "9/9" event, the company's Oct. 16 event will be blacked out to anyone not using recent versions of the Safari browser on an Apple computer or mobile device.
While Apple is putting up the velvet ropes to keep Windows and Android users from following its Oct. 16 event live, there are several ways for outsiders to view the streaming presenation.
