Tim Cook: Mobile Payments 'One of the Thoughts' Behind Touch ID - GeekWebGuides
Skip to Content

Tim Cook: Mobile Payments 'One of the Thoughts' Behind Touch ID

applestore.pngDuring Apple's earnings call today, CEO Tim Cook indicated that mobile payments were one of the driving forces behind the company’s decision to introduce Touch ID with the iPhone 5s.

The mobile payments area in general is one that we’ve been intrigued with. It was one of the thoughts behind Touch ID.

Cook went on to say that people love being able to buy digital content from their iPhones using Touch ID, because it's "incredibly simple and easy and elegant."

He added that while Apple is not planning on limiting Touch ID to digital purchases, the company had nothing specific to announce today, mobile payments are an opportunity that Apple has been "intrigued with" and there is a "big opportunity on the platform."

Tim Cook's comments on mobile payments follow a report last week that suggested Apple is currently working on developing a new mobile payment service that will allow the company to handle payments for physical goods and services in the future.

While Apple currently limits iTunes account holders to using their stored credit card information for purchases on Apple's online and retail stores through the Apple Store app, iTunes, and the App Store, stored information could be used in the future for other types of payments with Touch ID technology used to speed up and authenticate real world purchases.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Popular Stories

iphone duo feature

Tim Cook Explains Why He Stepped Down as Apple CEO Before iPhone Duo Launch

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:05 am PDT by
The Independent's David Phelan on Wednesday interviewed Apple's executive chairman Tim Cook at Apple's U.K. headquarters in the Battersea Power Station, and one of the topics they discussed was John Ternus taking over as Apple's CEO. Ternus, who was previously Apple's hardware engineering chief, succeeded Cook as Apple's CEO on September 1. Cook said the transition "started years ago."...
apple pay feature dynamic island

Banks and Credit Unions to Team Up Against Apple Pay Fees

Friday September 25, 2026 12:22 pm PDT by
An antitrust lawsuit accusing Apple of blocking tap-to-pay competition is moving forward and will see banks and credit unions able to band together to sue Apple. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White this week certified a class in the lawsuit. It will include any U.S. entities that issued any payment card enabled for Apple Pay and paid Apple a fee for Apple Pay transactions on that payment card. ...
iPhone 4 on Black Feature

Full iPhone 4 'Antennagate' Q&A Video Surfaces After 16 Years

Thursday September 24, 2026 5:39 am PDT by
A 47-minute video of the Q&A session from Apple's 2010 iPhone 4 "antennagate" press conference has surfaced on YouTube, showing Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, and Bob Mansfield answering reporters' questions. The recording was highlighted by Daring Fireball's John Gruber, who attended the event. Apple called the July 16, 2010 press conference amid complaints that holding the iPhone 4 in a particular...

Top Rated Comments

citi Avatar
166 months ago
I ain't touch the Touch ID feature with a ten foot pole, buddy. I don't like the idea of impulse buying, which is why I disable in app purchases as a matter of course. We're gonna see a lot of people spending money they don't have because pay this way is just a but of bits flying around. You don't see your hard earned cash leaving your wallet.

The same can be said about debit cards. If you are a spender, you will spend. If you are not, you won't.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
166 months ago
The same can be said about debit cards. If you are a spender, you will spend. If you are not, you won't.

I like the people who blame technology when, in reality, they have a spending and consumption problem. :cool:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
166 months ago
I ain't touch the Touch ID feature with a ten foot pole, buddy. I don't like the idea of impulse buying, which is why I disable in app purchases as a matter of course. We're gonna see a lot of people spending money they don't have because pay this way is just a but of bits flying around. You don't see your hard earned cash leaving your wallet.

Do you have a credit card?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
166 months ago
Who said anything about impulse buying being Apple's fault? Credit cards, on-line payments, the speedy pass payment all makes it easier to impulse buy. You have kids? You'll know the kind of financial headaches they can cause if you don't lock down the their devices to prevent in app purchases. Ever let the Missus go shoe shopping alone with YOUR credit card? That's the fast track to the poor house, buddy.

Touch ID is the first thing I would disable. THAT is taking responsibility. Disabling in app purchasing. THAT is taking responsibility. Suffer on a shopping trip with the Missus to keep her spending in check. THAT, my friend, is what it takes to be a man.
I just have to say, this whole "missus" thing sounds really... I don't know. Chauvanistic? Whatever putting your wife on the same level as your kids equates to.

I also don't understand how TouchID = giving your card out to someone else.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
166 months ago
Its about freaking time, how about a TV that doesn't suck that crushes Xbox and PS4, and implements a better, more streamlined Youtube-like platform for user generated content while you're at it? Getting a little tired of defending single digit growth over here... Thanks.

I see you've had your morning glass of prune juice. Just relax, Apple will release whatever they need to when it's ready.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lapidus Avatar
166 months ago
Didn't see that coming..
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
MacBook Neo Helps Apple Outpace Rivals as Market Declines
MacBook Neo Helps Apple Outpace Rivals as Market Declines
1 hour ago
Happy 25th Anniversary, iPod
Happy 25th Anniversary, iPod
2 hours ago
iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations
iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations
4 hours ago
iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers
iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers
10 hours ago
1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI
1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI
11 hours ago
iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered
iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered
12 hours ago
Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support
Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support
13 hours ago
Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo
Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo
13 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores
Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores
14 hours ago
Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]
Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]
15 hours ago
Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support
Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support
15 hours ago
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
18 hours ago
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
19 hours ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
19 hours ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
20 hours ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
21 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
22 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
22 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
1 day ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
1 day ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
1 day ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
1 day ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
1 day ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
1 day ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
1 day ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
1 day ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
1 day ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
2 days ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
2 days ago