Did China’s Union Pay Make Apple Pay Deal?

The iOS 8.3 operating system has a lot of new developments that should make Apple users happy. CarPlay is being upgraded so iOS can be operated on the car dashboard without need of a USB port, and the Xcode 6.3 operating system now comes with Swift 1.2, an enhancement that should allow for easier Google login and more efficient programming language for developers, according to 9to5 Mac. However, one bit that was leaked via screenshot may have to do with the next frontier for Apple Pay: China.

According to 9to5 Mac, as well as Marketwatch, a screencap of code was found to relate to China Union Pay, which some are interpreting as a sign that this new iOS could be ready for Chinese payments. MarketWatch confirmed that a deal could be on the way between the two companies as well. Partnership rumors had been swirling since before Apple Pay came out, though it was only for the iPhone 6 network in the United States. China Union Pay had agreed to partner with Apple to infiltrate the Chinese m-commerce market, which has up to this point been QR code dominated. It would also create a challenge to a part of the world that Alipay has held court through QR developments of its own.

Another feature of iOS 8.3’s upgrade announcement was further development of the Apple Watch. Already slated to have a four-digit PIN protection system, there is also a report that it could add skin recognition as a potential safeguard as well, meaning the watch would only be accessible to the original owner. It is expected that Apple Watch will serve as a new development for Apple Pay, especially in light of the competition it will face from other watchmakers like Swatch, so added security could give it a larger edge.