I for one can very well imagine that Apple has agreed with the Sparkasse und Volksbanken, to start ApplePay only when they start their own apps for Android.
That's my guess as well and I agree with the points you raised..
I've really got into payment services and Apple Pay over the last year or so trying different services, cards and stuff. I also kept nagging my main German bank (Sparkasse) about it. I have also had some communication with them on the matter.
(Attention short offtopic incoming) I have to say that the bank is great and they really make an effort to send meaningful responses. I recently had some problems with their S-ID-Check app which honestly is absolute rubbish. But it's not their fault and they're working on a fix (that they came up with themselves!) with the devs. Sometimes they're a bit slow, but I value having a single person to deal with, having their personal office phone number, personal email and everything I do goes via this one person or possibly someone standing in for them if they're on holiday. Some of my experiences with British banks have been disappointing, to say the least. Every time you call them or speak to them in branch it's someone different, no one has a clue of what was processed beforehand and you have to always start from the beginning. I don't really feel that personal connection I do as with the Sparkasse. The best of them all is Nationwide (a mutual building society) who I must say are great! So yes I'll stand up and defend the Sparkasse. Btw I really like your German banking setup / ethics with the co-op banks (Volksbank) and public banks (Sparkasse). I don't care much for Deutsche Bank but I'm drifting way off-topic now...
As a bit of a teaser: There is an event coming up in the next couple of weeks together with S-Payment and I am allowed to go (although it is not a customer facing event). S-Payment is the division that builds all the payment systems for all the Sparkassen and works on integration with Girocard and the other partners like Visa/MasterCard. They are also responsible for Paydirekt/the upcoming Girocard digital/Apple Pay (?).
Although I don't expect to see/hear anything specific, I will keep my eyes peeled and ears open about anything regarding Apple Pay
Maybe I might even get to have a chat with someone. Yes, I will report back (as long as I don't have to sign an NDA
).