WWDC 2015: Apple Pay Set For UK Launch As Sony Music Boss ‘Confirms’ Music Streaming Service

Apple will reportedly confirm a UK launch for Apple Pay later this summer and reveal details about its long-awaited music streaming service at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) later today.

The Cupertino-based company’s mobile payment service has been available in the US since last year, but The Telegraph claims Apple Pay will be switched on in the UK within the next two months.

It suggests the widespread adoption of Apple devices, and the fact that so many retailers already have the infrastructure in place to accept Apple Pay, means the launch is a significant development for mobile payments in the UK.

Apple Pay UK

Transport for London (TfL) already accepts Apple Pay payments from US tourists, while MasterCard has said it is ready to accept the system, as well as rivals like Android Pay, at any point. Visa predicts UK shoppers will spend more than £1.2 billion a week using contactless methods by 2020.

Meanwhile Sony Music CEO Doug Morris has apparently confirmed Apple Radio, or a similarly titled service, will be announced at WWDC.

“It’s happening tomorrow,” Morris quotes VentureBeat as telling the Midem Music Industry Festival in Cannes.

The news is not unexpected given Apple’s $3 billion (£1.8bn) purchase of Beats last year, and is it is expected the service will be priced at $9.99 to help it compete against market leader Spotify. The service will be led by producer Jimmy Iovine, while Apple has also recruited some high profile names, including former Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe to work on the project.

As in previous years, Apple will also reveal information about the next version of iOS and Mac OS X, however any new version of Apple TV is not expected to debut.

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