Amtrak 4.0 Lets You Add Your eTicket to Wallet

Amtrak updated its app to version 4.0 (in August) and it added new features: Show your eTicket while onboard, including multi-ride and monthly passes – no need to print; Send your eTicket to Apple Wallet; Purchase one-way, roundtrip, multi-ride and monthly tickets with dollars or Amtrak Guest Rewards points; Check train status; Find station information; Edit and manage your account profile; Save credit cards for quick checkout, and more. App Store: Amtrak – Free

People are Putting Their Apple Cards Through a CNC Mill

Some people are customizing their Apple Cards with CNC milling machines in an effort to improve Apple’s minimalistic credit card.

As Wiegand showed on his Instagram account, he loaded his card into one of these computer-controlled cutting machines to customize the white finish with the filigree you’d find on the back of a 19th-century-era Bicycle playing card.

Neat stuff. We’ve already seen wallet cases specifically for Apple Cards. I wonder if some companies will create Card skins.

Donate to U.S. National Parks Using Apple Pay

From August 17 to August 25, the first 100,000 transactions at Apple retail stores, the online store, or the Apple Store app will donate US$10 to U.S. national parks.

We’re celebrating our national parks with a $10 donation for each Apple Pay purchase at an Apple Store, on apple.com, or through the Apple Store app in the U.S. from August 17 through 25. Limited to the first 100,000 transactions. Subject to $10 minimum purchase.

I think this is great. U.S. national parks could soon get a big US$1 million donation.

Online Payment Integrations Can Introduce Vulnerabilities

At Black Hat 2019, researcher Joshua Maddux found that security vulnerabilities can arise when websites add online payment integrations like Apple Pay. To be clear, he says it’s not an issue with Apple Pay itself, but rather how websites add it. And other third-party integrations can be similarly affected.

The flaws fit into a well-known type of vulnerability called “server side request forgery,” which allow attackers to bypass protections like firewalls to directly send commands to web applications. These vulnerabilities pose a real threat, and are regularly exploited in the wild. Most recently, they played a role in last month’s massive Capital One breach. Similarly, flexibility in how a website integrates Apple Pay potentially exposes its own backend infrastructure to unauthorized access.

Apple Card Doesn't Support Financial Apps

Within Wallet, your Apple Card will display transaction categories, transaction history, total spending, and more. But you won’t be able to export that data to financial apps.

As financial apps like Mint and software like Quicken are popular with many people, it’s possible that Apple will add support for exporting data in the future. Right now, Apple Card data and transactions can be viewed and managed only on the iPhone and the iPad, with no web support available.

Apple Card Rolls Out to Select Users Today

Apple Card preview is rolling out today to a select group of users who signed up to be notified of the release, although we don’t know if it’s all users who signed up or a small group.

Apple Card is getting its first group of public test users today. A limited amount of customers that signed up to be notified about the release of Apple Card are getting the ability to apply for the card in their Wallet app today — as well as the option to order their physical Apple Card. A full rollout of Apple Card will come later in August. It requires iOS 12.4 and up to operate.

Apple Previews Apple Card Sign Up Process

Apple’s wallet.apple.com website gives people a video on how to apply for Apple Card, which consists of opening the Wallet app and tapping the plus (+) button on the upper right.

Before you start, there are a few things to check: You are a US citizen or lawful resident at least 18 years of age or older. Make sure you’re on the latest version of iOS. Learn here how to updateApplying for Apple Card requires an iPhone that can use Apple Pay. Check here to see if your device is compatible.

I can’t wait for the launch, and will be signing up.

 

StubHub Apple Pay Rolls Out to iOS Browsers

Starting today, StubHub Apple Pay will be available on the web for iOS devices so that fans can buy tickets easily and safely.

Fans will begin to see Apple Pay as an available payment option for MLB mobile web transactions on the iPhone this week. For more on how to use Apple Pay and connect it with your StubHub account, visit StubHub’s customer help center.

Good to see Apple Pay being offered in more places.