Apple Pay UK release date unknown, Canadian launch scheduled?

Apple website

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently reported that Apple Pay has been successful since it was first launched in October, prompting the company to start planning to introduce the cashless payment scheme around the world. 

Its U.S. run is deemed to be widely successful since it makes up roughly $2 out of every $3 spent by consumers using the contactless payment systems of the three biggest U.S. card networks like AmEx, Visa, and MasterCard. This was reported during the earnings call delivered by Cook. This is why the Cupertino-based company feels that they are ready for an international release, particularly in the U.K.  

Late last year, The Telegraph revealed that Apple representatives were negotiating with the leading banks in the U.K. to bring it to the country sometime in the first half of 2015. The talks between one of the biggest British banks and Apple were not as seamless as expected since the bank posed several concerns regarding the data safety and security of the services. Still, analysts believe that a deal will be made in no time. 

However, Apple still has to make an official announcement about the release date of Apple Pay in the U.K. 

On the other hand, 9to5 Mac reported that Apple Pay may be launched in Canada in the latter part of the year. According to the website, several sources are claiming that the Cupertino tech giant and its possible Apple Pay accredited merchants are already undergoing negotiations to launch the services in the country. The sources also mentioned that the company is prepared to release the promotional and advertising materials for the services sometime in March. 

If this is true, then Canadian consumers who have iPhones or other Apple-produced devices can use Apple Pay when shopping for basic commodities like food, apparel, and other products earlier than British Apple users.

The Cupertino-based company has yet to confirm the rumors.