Today's Apple news brought the expected hardware announcements but more importantly outlined the Apple Pay launch partners for October 20:

Aeropostale, Apple, Babies R Us, BJ's, Bloomingdales, Champs, Chevron, Duane Reade, Extra Mile, Foot Locker, FootAction, House of Hoops, Macys, McDonalds, Nice, Office Depot, Panera, Petco, RadioShack, Six:02, Sports Authority, Subway, Texaco, Toys R Us, Walgreens, Wegmans, Whole Foods.

An impressive and extensive list. I would assume that select locations for each retailer will launch October 20 with remaining locations soon to follow. Barring any major setbacks this is undoubtedly the most concerted, wide ranging effort for mobile payments yet.