Apple CEO Tim Cook has described mobile payments as a “big opportunity” during a conference call with analysts that confirms the company’s growing, albeit unspecified, interest in the area.

Ironically Cook described mobile payments as being “in its infancy” less than a year ago.

His comments do not exactly explain Apple’s plans, about which speculation has been fuelled since a media report last week, but did confirm they are significant.

“The mobile payments area in general is one we’ve been intrigued with, and that was one of the thoughts behind Touch ID,” said Cook, referring to the fingerprint sensor built into the iPhone 5S which enables uses to unlock their handset and authenticate purchases on iTunes or the App Store

Cook went on to say: “So I don’t have anything specific to announce today, but you can tell by looking at the demographics of our customers, and the amount of commerce that goes through iOS devices versus the competition, that it’s a big opportunity for the platform.”

The conference call followed the company’s quarterly results.