NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Apple’s new wearable, Apple Watch, will support Apple Pay as well as mobile keys for hotel rooms, the company announced Monday.

Smart watches have so far seen considerable interest from industry observers and high levels of consumer awareness, though awareness has not translated into widespread take-up among consumers so far.

But more payments wearables from other manufacturers are expected, though the field is slender for now. And manufacturers aren’t the only ones introducing service. For example, Australia’s No. 2 telco, Optus, unveiled a proof-of-concept smartwatch that pairs via Bluetooth with smartphones running the telco’s Cash By Optus app. The smartwatch supports a Visa payWave prepaid application.