ExxonMobil Launches Apple Watch Support in 'Speedpass+' iOS App

[MacRumors]

ExxonMobil this week announced an update to its Speedpass+ iOS app, which gives users the ability to pay for fuel and car washes using their Apple Watch and Apple Pay at over 10,000 participating Exxon and Mobil refueling stations across the United States.

For the Apple Watch payments process, users will have to navigate to the Speedpass+ watch app, select the pump they are at, authorize it for payment, and double-tap the side button to bring up Apple Pay. Once the payment is processed, users can begin fueling up their vehicle.

"With these updates to the Speedpass+ app, consumers now have even more options to pay for fuel while sitting in the comfort of their car - either using Ford SYNC 3 or the Apple Watch," said Matt Bergeron, vice president of marketing for ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company.

"This is more than a cashless payment app; it is a platform that earns and redeems Plenti loyalty points and manages receipts. With ExxonMobil's heritage and commitment to innovation, the Speedpass+ app continues to bring new benefits to its users."

The update also comes with a new "Ford SYNC 3" feature that lets Speedpass+ app users easily authorize fuel payments using voice commands or an in-car touch screen, as well as check how much fuel is in the tank when away from their car using the app.

The new Speedpass+ update follows the app's introduction of Apple Pay in March of 2016, which introduced the ability to pay for fuel using an iPhone and Apple's mobile wallet. Exxon's Apple Pay solution doesn't use NFC reader technology, instead focusing on software within the app to use GPS and QR codes in order to authorize fuel payments.

Fuel companies have slowly begun to adopt Apple Pay over the years, with Chevron opening up a pilot program for Apple Pay fuel payments at a few of its stations in San Francisco in 2015. A few vehicle manufacturers have also rolled out Apple Pay support directly within their infotainment systems, with Jaguar and Shell partnering up to allow drivers in the United Kingdom to pay for fuel with Apple Pay insider their car.

ExxonMobil Speedpass+ is available to download for free on the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: ExxonMobil Launches Apple Watch Support in 'Speedpass+' iOS App

 

[alphaod]

This is awesome. I love the Speedpass app. I can pay before getting out of my car ready to start pumping.

 

[UMJonny]

I don't see why you need a special app to pay at the pump. When i buy gas, i use my watch with the contactless reader at the pump. The WaWa near me has them.

When they first introduced apple pay in their app, i was all about it. My problem was either finding an exxon-mobil station or finding a station that actually supported this system. I never did get a chance to use it.

 

[M.PaulCezanne]

This kind of thing, combined with LTE, would make the watch more useful to me than the iPhone.

Though I agree, it would be better without having to use a separate app.

 

[Rigby]

The gas stations should finally add standard contactless payments at the pump rather than these convoluted systems. Tap and go. But I guess they want you to sign up for these loyalty programs so they can track your purchases.

 

[belvdr]

I don't see why you need a special app to pay at the pump. When i buy gas, i use my watch with the contactless reader at the pump. The WaWa near me has them.

When they first introduced apple pay in their app, i was all about it. My problem was either finding an exxon-mobil station or finding a station that actually supported this system. I never did get a chance to use it.

Agreed, go with a standard method, which begs my question. Where are the contactless readers on the pumps? I'm not sure if the stations around here have them.

The way this is described sounds like the Hokey Pokey.

 

[Glassed Silver]

For the Apple Watch payments process, users will have to navigate to the Speedpass+ watch app

This is the step that makes the magic take a massive hit.

Glassed Silver:ios

 

[Boatboy24]

Oh, cool. I like the Speedpass app. Would prefer to simply place my watch near a reader on the pump instead of using the app, but this is good for now.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I want Apple Pay at the pump. I know that will be one of the last places to receive it but it will be a very happy day for me. I'm tired of walking into Chevron. At least there are pilot programs going.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I don't use Exxon often -- always the 2nd most expensive where I am. (Shell is #1). But I am familiar with SpeedPass, or at least its origins as an RFID tag you tap the pump with to pay. So I don't get the whole integration of SpeedPass and ApplePay. Why do you need SpeedPass when you can just double tap and use ApplePay?

The AW process described above seems like a lot more work and time spent instead of just pulling out the wallet, swiping, and filling the tank. What am I missing?

 

[riverfreak]

I want Apple Pay at the pump. I know that will be one of the last places to receive it but it will be a very happy day for me. I'm tired of walking into Chevron. At least there are pilot programs going.

Why are you walking inside? Are you paying in cash?

Anyways,I refuse to download an app or join a loyalty program just to use contactless payments. That's idiotic. And navigate to the app on the AppleWatch? In the stupid jumble of apps where you can't see or find anything? Dock is already full. No thanks. That takes longer than just swiping my card.

 

[Weaselboy]

Anyways,I refuse to download an app or join a loyalty program just to use contactless payments. That's idiotic. And navigate to the app on the AppleWatch? In the stupid jumble of apps where you can't see or find anything? Dock is already full. No thanks. That takes longer than just swiping my card.

You don't have to sign up for the loyalty program to use this app to pay. It is entirely optional.

You are probably right it may be a bit faster to just swipe, but by using the app with Apple Pay, they don't have my real CC number so it protects me from fraud. Holiday Inn recently had a malware compromise, so anybody (like me) who used their CC at a Holiday Inn had new cards issued as a precaution. It is a big hassle I would rather avoid.

 

[Jakexb]

This is basically Exxon's version of CurrentC.

Probably not intentionally. They were ahead of the contactless curve with SpeedPass and invested in proprietary hardware at all their pumps.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I love the Exxon Mobile app. I use it regularly when I travel. Adding it to the watch makes it even better.

I do wish there were more Exxon stations near me. There's only one station that I'm aware of that takes contactless/Apple Pay, and it's always the highest price in town.

 

[coolbreeze]

And lol at the stickers on gas pumps that say "turn off all cellphones and electronic devices."

Now someone is gonna cause gas vapors to ignite.

(I know, myth busters..but it's a funny change in tune)

 

[Aston441]

I'm feeling like there's a LOT of shilling in this thread. Read the reviews of the app on the app store, they're terrible. It almost never works for most people. I've tried MANY times and it always says "not available at this time, please try later.". I had my card skimmed at the pump two weeks ago and it made my life hell. They need to stick RFID on the pumps NOW so Apple Pay can be used as intended. They're trying to pull a CurrentC as poster above noted.

 

[grennis]

So how long before the app is quietly pulled off the store?

 

[Aston441]

So how long before the app is quietly pulled off the store?

Well I would USE the stupid app if it freaking worked. It doesn't work and hasn't for years! I do anything I can to try to not get skimmed again. We NEED Apple Pay at the pumps, it's where the majority of skimming takes place. The petroleum oligopoly are being holes.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Why are you walking inside? Are you paying in cash?

Anyways,I refuse to download an app or join a loyalty program just to use contactless payments. That's idiotic. And navigate to the app on the AppleWatch? In the stupid jumble of apps where you can't see or find anything? Dock is already full. No thanks. That takes longer than just swiping my card.

I walk inside to use Apple Pay. They take it at the POS inside but can't take it at the pump.

 

[MrX8503]

Meijer Gas stations support Apple Pay natively. I've been buying gas with my watch for a while now.

Other gas stations need to get on board.

This kind of thing, combined with LTE, would make the watch more useful to me than the iPhone.

Though I agree, it would be better without having to use a separate app.

You don't need internet for Apple Pay. The entire process happens locally. Leave your iPhone at home and try it.

 

[Aston441]

Meijer Gas stations support Apple Pay natively. I've been buying gas with my watch for a while now.

Other gas stations need to get on board.

Closest Meijer to me is a 22 hour drive. I'd probably run out of gas by then.

 

[bstpierre]

Seems like waving my keyring (with its speedpass dongle) at the Pegasus on the pump is much easier than starting an app.

 

[Weaselboy]

Seems like waving my keyring (with its speedpass dongle) at the Pegasus on the pump is much easier than starting an app.

I have the Speedpass dongle, and it works well, but that charges to your Exxon/Mobile CC. I prefer to use my VISA CC to accumulate rewards points and the app allows me to do that.

 

[bluespark]

You don't have to sign up for the loyalty program to use this app to pay. It is entirely optional.

You are probably right it may be a bit faster to just swipe, but by using the app with Apple Pay, they don't have my real CC number so it protects me from fraud. Holiday Inn recently had a malware compromise, so anybody (like me) who used their CC at a Holiday Inn had new cards issued as a precaution. It is a big hassle I would rather avoid.

I think you may be misunderstanding his comment. The question is not why Apple Pay is advantageous (it clearly is), but rather why a separate app is. If anything, the security issue you describe would be better handled with Apple Pay and *not* this separate app-based approach.

 

[Weaselboy]

I think you may be misunderstanding his comment. The question is not why Apple Pay is advantageous (it clearly is), but rather why a separate app is. If anything, the security issue you describe would be better handled with Apple Pay and *not* this separate app-based approach.

I understand. I was only addressing the second part of this comment.

I think part of what delays this is spending money for one or two devices inside at the register, vs. twelve or so new devices out at each pump. I'm not defending it, I'm just speculating why this is happening.

Anyways,I refuse to download an app or join a loyalty program just to use contactless payments.