In the timeless game of hating on Apple, Bill Gates is an O.G. When his kids ask for iPads and MacBooks, he shoves a Microsoft Surface in their stockings. But when it comes to Apple Pay, even the former CEO of Microsoft thinks his old rivals’ mobile payments solution is absolutely fantastic.
In an interview discussing his latest philanthropic endeavor – leveraging cellphones to make banking more affordable for the world’s poorest countries – Gates told Bloomberg TV that he sees Apple Pay bringing NFC payments to a critical mass for all devices in the near future.
“The fact that in any application I can buy something, that’s fantastic,” Gates gushed. “The fact I don’t need a physical card anymore… and you’re going to be quite sure about who it is on the other end, that is a real contribution.”
Yeah, Bill. We’re impressed too. Check out the full interview below:
Via: TUAW
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
14 responses to “Even Bill Gates thinks Apple Pay is ‘fantastic’”
Surprised coming from a former Microsoft exec. I’d have thought he’d say “I’m hoping Microsoft will release a Microsoft Wallet next year on the Lumia series.”
I would rather hear him say – “Hey, thats a great idea and I hope Apple will license the API to us so we can all be on the same page.”
Yea imagine Pay on Androids and Windows Phones.. That’ll be the day.. Maybe if they took the Apple out of the name then just maybe.
Uhhh, that was sort of my point with the API. The backend doesn’t matter. Any company can use the API and slap a logo on the front. The cool thing would be that MS could use the system that Apple has already set up and stores are already implementing. And so could everyone else.
I know that but knowing Apple they’d most likely want their name on it.
That would be the day apple becomes the single most profitable company ever! Think about it: 0,15 % commission on any trade no matter which phone you use! They’d have their hands in any cookie jar in the world.
But almost impossible to think they would do it
Windlasher there are plenty work-arounds to accomplish the same thing without the need for a license. PayPal being the most noted example. The advantage Apple has is access to its existing customer base.
I get that. Since we have such a HUGE fraud problem, it would be nice if just this once, they all got together and played nice to solve a problem that they all have. I’m not saying that all the companies should become one with the universe, just play nice on this particular merry go round. If they did every bank, company, corporation and retail establishment would have no choice but to get on board. It would be a win, win, win, win…
Unlike Ballmer Gates has learned his lesson about doubting anything Apple’s done.
When the iPad debuted he admitted that the iPhone was something he’d wished Microsoft had done but didn’t think the iPad was as exciting or compelling.
Obviously he’s learned his lesson that doubting Apple is a futile effort.
I have a lot more respect for Bill Gates now than when he was CEO at M$. The work his foundation is doing is impressive.
Well, what as so microdollary before 2000 when he was CEO?
I am by no means a fan of Microsoft but I think Bill Gates is awesome.
Other multi-billionaires need to take a page out of his book and use their wealth for good instead of just trying to accumulate more & more at the expense of everyone else.
Many have http://goo.gl/x6aHjM.
I bet ol’ Bill Gates has a secret room in his mansion where he has an iPhone, iPad, iMac and other Apple devices that he can use to his hearts content.