Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by aareet 1147 days ago
While I agree about the awkwardness of the phone, I’ve found my Apple Watch to be extremely convenient as a way to pay. Simply double click the side button without needing to look and tap it on the reader. Doesn’t get easier than that. And like someone else said, it makes having many payment options available without fattening your wallet. Costco for example, only takes Mastercards in canada and I don’t use the master card anywhere else
2 comments
bbarn 1147 days ago
Costco in the US used to only take American Express, and then only Visa (when they partnered with Visa) and now you can just use anything. In Iceland they take everything because the idea that they wouldn't is just a cultural headscratcher to a citizenship that has all of 3 banking options. I suspect they have a special business or "pro" membership that includes a mastercard option there? That was the old motivation before they gave up on it here.
link
lotsofpulp 1147 days ago
Costco in the US only accepts Visa credit payments in store. And it looks line they do not accept American Express at all.

https://customerservice.costco.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8525509

link
aareet 1147 days ago
That’s precisely what they are trying to do - they have an “executive” tier that has a bank associated Mastercard
link
SoftTalker 1147 days ago
I don't see the cost-benefit justification when an Apple watch costs $400-$800 and is (at least IMO) is yet another device to complicate my life and invade my privacy.
link
BenFranklin100 1147 days ago
The Apple Watch SE is $249, Series 8 is $400. Used version 5, 6 or 7’s can be had for $200. (I picked up a refurbished version 5 off Amazon for ~$200.) I find that the Apple Watch simplifies my life. I have all notifications turned off except for meeting reminders and texts from my spouse. I leave my phone at my desk and no longer carry it with me around thee house or work. Apple Pay works beautifully, allowing me to leave my phone at home to pop over to the grocery store. The timer is convenient for cooking and reminders. As a recreational runner, it has replaced my Garmin. The sleep tracker works well. To my knowledge, it transmits no additional data to Apple than the iPhone itself. And it keeps time. All in all, a worthy investment.
link
pb7 1147 days ago
You must be a very important person. Better not go to any stores then because they have cameras everywhere that will invade your privacy too.
link
SoftTalker 1147 days ago
One bad thing existing does not justify other bad things.

And no, I'm a nobody.

link