New Samsung Watch Allows PayPal Mobile Payments
Samsung announced at the Mobile World Congress that its second-generation Gear 2 smartwatches are equipped with eBay and PayPal payment apps. PayPal’s Hill Ferguson says PayPal will be the first payment provider on the devices, which will be available globally in April. The app will enable Gear 2 owners to check-in to pay at local stores, save and redeem offers, transmit money, and receive payment notifications. Gear 2 runs on Tizen, an open source, standards-based software platform, which means that third-party developers have to choose whether to develop apps for another system along with Apple and Android. EBay’s Steve Yankovich said in September that his company was particularly excited about wearable devices because it further eases the mobile shopping experience by enabling on-the-go users to make purchases. “Think about someone who’s riding a bike,” he says. “It’s not convenient for a rider to pull out a phone and order a new helmet. But if the device is already on his or her wrist and it’s active, the rider is more likely to make the purchase.”
From “Pay With PayPal on Your Samsung SmartWatch”
eCommerce Bytes (02/24/14) Steiner, Ina