The Wall Street Journal reported details of an Apple patent illustration for a touchless mobile payment system. | Source: USPTO
Citing people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reports Apple CEO Tim Cook and SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue met with technology industry leaders to discuss a possible mobile payments system rollout.

In addition Apple has asked executive Jennifer Bailey to build out an in-company payment business. Bailey was previously in charge of running the company’s online stores. Apple is a late-comer to the mobile payments game as rival Google has been experimenting with so-called e-wallet technology for some time. In some implementations, Android handsets carry NFC technology that, in concert with Google Wallet, allow for touchless payments at supported POS systems. Despite early efforts and proliferation of smart devices that would serve as optimal platforms for the tech, a clear market frontrunner has yet to emerge.

With its various online properties, like iTunes and the Online Apple Store, Apple would have a huge installed customer base if it were to roll out a payments system. The sheer volume of credit cards on file would go a long way in convincing retailers to adopt an Apple-branded solution.

BUT.

Unlike Google, Apple has a lot smaller number of users with iPhones, mainly due to the high costs, whereas android handsets are abundant. So would retailers be willing to implement a system that will only work on a single operating system? Maybe in the USA where iPhones are more prolific.

What’s your view?