Apple took their time to release the iOS 8.1 software update. While the iOS 8.1 may include bug fixes and other improvements, the improvement that most people longed for was the Apple Pay support.

Around 3 p.m. EDT Monday, Apple Pay went live and surely many excited Apple iPhone users were curious to use it.

In an earlier article we showed dozens of merchants that accept Apple Pay.

Apple Pay works through a technology called Nearfield Communications or NFC. Basically, a user taps his or her phone on an NFC receiver and the payment works just like that. No more sliding credit cards, this will be a tapping motion with a phone or iPad.

If you recall back to the early 2000s ExxonMobil was one of the first companies to utilize NFC. The company created a Speedpass device that was about the size of a pinkie finger (or even smaller). You could tap the pump with your Speedpass and buy gas without ever sliding a card or going into the gas station and paying the attendant.

Fast forward to 2014 and things sure have changed. Now iPhones are mini computers almost attached to a person's hand 24 hours a day.

Apple, banks, restaurants and retail stores spent years getting together to forge the perfect relationship that would allow customers to pay with their phones.

There could be some bugs, as there is with every release but this new program is years in the making and consumers sure will like it.

Apple Pay is really easy to set up too. All you have to do is type in your credit card or debit card number, verify some information and you are ready to go.

In the next few weeks, expect to see dozens of folks tapping their phones to pay for goods and services.

What do you think of Apple Pay? Leave us a comment and let us know.