Apple Pay may be changing the way we spend money, even for those of us that are fiercely brand loyal to our Androids. Countless financial institutions and retail locations worked to ensure they can accept Apple Pay after it was announced for the iPhone 6. Not to mention this new device saw close to 10 million sales over its first weekend. Some of our tech-savvy readers may scoff and call it a marketing ploy, but let us dig in and see how Apple may reroute our spending habits. 

Apple Pay 

Apple Pay will be available for iPhone 6, 6 plus, and the iWatch when it debuts. There is talk of it being compatible with older devices in 2015. Let's say you fought through the lines and you are already set with your iPhone, this is what you can expect. Or maybe you are due for an upgrade, dedicated to PayPal, and cannot wrap your mind around the fuss. 

Getting Started

​To add a card, users can either take a photo of their physical card to store it in their Passbook, or automatically select the default card when in proximity of an NFC in-store terminal. 

Spending Digital Dollars

Stores will need to be equipped with NFC connectivity to accept the mobile payment. If you're using iPhone 6, you will need to scan your fingerprint to activate the process, then you may select which card to use or add a new one. See below for those supporting the new service. 

Read a full guide on using Apple Pay on BGR. 

Who's Involved

The primarily reason Apple Pay may blow up is due to how quickly institutions went on board with the new feature. Not the mention how fast people line up for the newest model of any Apple product. 

Banks

Apple Pay will accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards coming from various banks including:

• American Express
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citi
• Wells Fargo

Stores

Apple Pay is expected to be available in 22,000 retailers.

• Apple retail stores
• Babies R Us
• Bloomingdale’s
• Disney Store
• Duane Reade
• Macy’s
• McDonalds
• Nike
• Petco
• Staples
• Subway
• Toys R Us
• Unleashed
• Walgreens
• Walt Disney Parks
• Whole Foods

You can see all of the shops that will be accepting it on Orland's Business Journal. Tech Times also brings us those who opted out. Also, if you want to jump on board work on your e-commerce or mobile site, send us a message to get started. 

What's the Big Deal? 

Google Wallet and PayPal along with other apps have been doing this well before Apple Pay came out. So what makes it different? 

Primarily the force of new NFC systems in America. This is more so about converting to a safer, more secure NFC system. This is something that has been in Europe but has been slow catching on in the states. Not to mention Apple, and its loyal fan base, are all on board. It is not so much that the technology never existed, it is a matter of making it more prevailant. 

You can read more about NFC systems and Apple on Business Insider. 

Security Issues

Near Field Communication, or NFC, systems are suppose to be one of the most secure ways to checkout. We all know of the recent Home Depo  hacking scare  and that Target had the same security issue just a year or so before running off of similar point-of-sale systems. So why are we stressed out about Apple Pay? 

The Fappening

Okay, we said it. 4chan timed everything so perfectly that Apple Cloud ended up revealing some quite revealing celebrity photos. This leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth. Apple swears that they were not actually hacked, but that does not leave the public any less defensive. 

Apple is using this an as opporunity to say they are extra secure with Apple Pay, more secure than they have ever been. You can read more about it on CNET. 

PayPal Jabs

In addition to 4chan ruining Apple's reputation temporarily, PayPal also launched an ad campaign that critizes the new Apple Pay. 

PayPal jumped on board by mocking their competitor's following the security leak of nude celebrity selfies. This is not just a playful jab at a notorious competitor, but Apple may really hurt PayPal with its new up-to-date technology. PayPal can only criticise for so long before it will need to get on board and be better than Apple Pay. 

Read more on PayPal and Apple Pay wars on Apple Insider. 

Do you think we will be seeing more NFC systems throughout America? Are you signing up for Apple Pay? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!