“Banks rushed to work with the Apple Pay mobile wallet when it debuted in 2014. They have some regrets. When Apple Pay launched, the tech giant got big banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Capital One Financial Corp. and Bank of America Corp. to agree to pay fees that would allow their cardholders to pay by iPhone. But some banks have grown unhappy with the costs, especially after Apple Inc. introduced its own new credit card in 2019 , according to people familiar with the matter.”

“According to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Apple is enjoying 80% market share in the digital wallets space. Responding to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services inquiry into mobile payment and digital wallet financial services, CBA said it has seen a rapid increase in the number and value of payments made from mobile devices.”

“Apple Inc (AAPL.O) is facing an antitrust challenge in India for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the apps market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system, according to a source and documents seen by Reuters. The allegations are similar to a case Apple faces in the European Union , where regulators last year started an investigation into Apple’s imposition of an in-app fee of 30% for distribution of paid digital content and other restrictions.”

“Apple Inc. said it would allow media apps to create in-app links to sign-up pages on those companies’ websites, allowing the likes of Spotify Technology SA and Netflix Inc. to bypass the iPhone maker’s cut of subscriptions. Spotify and other technology companies for years have said Apple’s restrictions were unfair and anticompetitive. The Cupertino, Calif., company previously prohibited Spotify and others from directing their users to sign-up options outside the App Store.”

“The agreement clarifies that developers can share purchase options with users outside of their iOS app; expands the price points developers can offer for subscriptions, in-app purchases, and paid apps; and establishes a new fund to assist qualifying US developers. The updates constitute the latest chapter of Apple’s longstanding efforts to evolve the App Store into an even better marketplace for users and developers alike.”

“Apple today announced a minor update to Apple Cash, the company’s digital wallet that works with Apple Pay and iMessage. As of today, Instant Transfer on Apple Cash is compatible with Mastercard debit cards, but there are some other changes as well. In an email sent to Apple Card users on Thursday, Apple says users can now transfer money from their Apple Cash balance to a bank account using a Mastercard debit card and Instant Transfer. Previously this was only possible using a Visa debit card. With Instant Transfer, the money is sent immediately to your bank, so you don’t have to wait until the transaction is processed.”

“Apple has begun testing passkeys, a new authentication technology it says are as easy to use as passwords but vastly more secure. Part of iCloud Keychains, a test version of the technology will come with iPhones, iPads and Macs later this year. To set up an account on a website or app using a passkey, you first choose a username for the new account, then use FaceID or Touch ID to confirm that it’s really you who’s using the device. You don’t ever pick a password. Your device handles generation and storage of the passkey, which iCloud Keychain synchronizes across all your Apple devices.”

“Apple is looking for a lead negotiator to strike partnerships with “alternative payment” partners, according to a job listing posted on Tuesday. The role, according to the listing, would include screening potential partners, negotiating and signing deals, and launching new programs and features for Apple’s Wallets, Payments, and Commerce team. It will also work with Apple Pay teams…Like most Apple job listings, it doesn’t mention specific products or partnerships that the role would work on. But it does mention some examples of alternative payments experience that Apple is looking for, including digital wallets, BNPL (buy now pay later, like Affirm ), fast payments and cryptocurrency.”

“Apple Inc. faces a European Union antitrust complaint as soon as this week, escalating a probe into Spotify Technology SA ’s allegations that App Store rules are unfair, according to a person familiar with the case who asked not to be named because the process isn’t public. The move raises the risk that the EU could order changes to Apple’s App Store or impose fines. Apple will have the chance to argue its case against any EU suspicions before regulators take a final decision. The EU is also probing Apple over e-books and payments.”

“Apple’s head of Apple Pay, Jennifer Bailey, said that contactless payments have gone from “being a convenience to a matter of public health.” Estimates from analyst group Loup Ventures show Apple Pay is used by at least 507 million people, up from 67 million in 2016.”

“Apple Inc said here on Monday apps that offer virtual sessions or classes do not need to use App Store’s in-app purchase method through June, extending an earlier deadline of December. Apple charges a commission of between 15%-30% for apps that use its in-app payment system.”

“Apple today announced an industry-leading new developer program to accelerate innovation and help small businesses and independent developers propel their businesses forward with the next generation of groundbreaking apps on the App Store. The new App Store Small Business Program will benefit the vast majority of developers who sell digital goods and services on the store, providing them with a reduced commission on paid apps and in-app purchases.”

“Parents using Apple Cash Family can also choose to receive a notification each time their children use the service. Notifications include details of both how and when the funds were used. Apple Cash Family is one of a range of services offered by the new Family Setup feature launched by Apple for watchOS 7 . Family Setup allows family members to use an Apple Watch, even if they don’t have an iPhone.”

“Just hours after the reveal of Apple’s new services bundles , the tech giant has already taken criticism for evidently favoring its own apps over those with which it directly competes in its App Store.    Apple’s long-rumored push into services bundles comes as little surprise for a number of reasons. One is that some of Apple’s services have been more successful than others—ahem, Apple TV+—and bundles allow Apple to lure some paying customers who might otherwise overlook an Apple service on its own.”

“Apple Inc. on Saturday reversed course on a decision to force popular blogging platform WordPress to add in-app purchases to its app, a move that could help lessen tensions between Apple and developers amid a public battle with Epic Games. On Friday, WordPress said that Apple had informed it that it had 30 days to add in-app-purchases to its application, which would have given Apple a 30% cut of purchases of WordPress.com plans purchased via the app. Apple’s request was questioned by developers online as the WordPress app previously didn’t offer a way to purchase plans inside their app, rather just on its website.”

“It’s sometimes very easy to forget that Apple Pay isn’t available at every bank around the world, especially if you happen to live in a country where it’s ubiquitous. But Apple Pay continues to expand its reach around the globe with the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland now all getting new Apple Pay support at specific banks. Those who are customers of ING in Italy, Santander in Portugal, Americal Express in the Netherlands, and UBS in Switzerland can all now sign up for Apple Pay for the first time and they really, really should.”