One of the first mobile payment applications in the U.K. has run its course.

The unveiling of the next iPhone is imminent, and with it Apple is expected to announce plans for a mobile payment system with the support of the major card networks, retailers and banks. But what, exactly, would go into such a system?

While student-only payment methods might cater to an audience with a high turnover rate, that audience is filled with early adopters that merchants want to attract.

PayStand's integration with e-commerce service provider WooCommerce is meant to enable multiple payment types with very little technology work.

With anticipation building for Apple's special event and what CEO Tim Cook will announce, it is a fun time to dig into the rumors and speculate about what could be coming to a pocket, wrist or desktop near you and, more importantly, what this may mean to the market ecosystems we all exist in today.

In addition to possibly revealing a mobile wallet next week, Apple is also expected to showcase its long-awaited smartwatch with Near Field Communication capabilities.

Merchant acquirers and processors are looking at a far different payments landscape in light of recent and anticipated developments from the Merchant Customer Exchange, Apple, Amazon.com and other companies.

PayPal has launched the PayPal Here software development kit (SDK), which enables merchants to sell in-store or remotely through iOS or Android devices.

PayPal is continuing to support Samsung's new phones and wearable products with features that make use of device-specific hardware such as the Note 4 smartphone's fingerprint reader.

Google Wallet users can now redeem and manage their gift cards through technology from the prepaid gift card provider Blackhawk Network.

Many businesses intentionally delay payments, slowing down the economy, according to MasterCard and Basware, which see an opportunity to clear out the congestion.

Apple is expected to launch a mobile wallet as part of its next iPhone, and the company has already trained its userbase to be active mobile purchasers.

The Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a mobile wallet initiative led by merchants including Walmart and Target, is testing its technology under the brand CurrentC with plans for a full rollout next year.

The telco-driven Isis mobile wallet will now be called Softcard, a name chosen to avoid confusion and association with a militant group in the Middle East that is often referred to as "ISIS."

Roximity is working to differentiate itself from other beacon manufacturers by increasing the lifespan and security of its devices.

Google Inc.'s YouTube now lets Google Wallet users make voluntary payments to publishers on the video site through the addition of a "support" button.

For Apple, the timing couldn't be worse to launch a mobile wallet. Mobile wallets can be a tough sell for many consumers, and brand image is a key element in winning their trust.

Apple Inc. plans to turn its next iPhone into a mobile wallet through a partnership with major payment networks, banks and retailers, according a person familiar with the situation.

Beer and wine are often used to lower inhibitions about anything new. Why should payment technology be any different? Many companies that manufacture or sell alcohol are at the forefront of payments innovation.

Drync, a wine-related software developer, is using Google Wallet to distill the complex process of shopping for wine from a mobile app.