Here’s a Hands-on Video showing how Samsung Pay works with both Magnetic Stripe Reader and NFC

Samsung had announced its mobile payment service Samsung Pay at the MWC 2015 when it unveiled its new flagship Galaxy S6 along with Galaxy S6 edge. However, even after over four months the much awaited Samsung Pay is still nowhere in sight.

Early this month we heard the news that Samsung Pay was in the final phase of testing and Samsung was testing out its mobile payment service in its home market with eight domestic card companies to remove all the kinks before rolling it out in the market. The report also said that the South Korean company was planning to launch this service in September, initially across the US and South Korea followed later in more countries.

The delay could be detrimental for Samsung Pay as Apple Pay is already expanding into Europe and Google Wallet is also going to be refreshed as Android Pay later in the year. Both Apple Pay and Google Wallet use the Near Field Communication (NFC) system which needs an NFC payment terminal at the retail outlet. Samsung Pay has an added advantage as along with NFC, it will also work at the traditional magnetic stripe card readers which are already available at most of the stores.

Now, when consumers are still wondering how Samsung Pay will actually work, Times of India has posted a video giving a hands-on demo of how the payment via Samsung Pay is made. As it turns out, making payment from your Samsung Galaxy phone is downright easy as you can see in the video below.

Once you have stored your credit/debit card/s in your phone, you just have to swipe the home button which will show you your stored cards. Select the one you want to pay with, touch the fingerprint scanner incorporated inside the home button to authenticate it and then put the phone near the NFC or magnetic stripe card reader. Viola, the payment will be made!

Samsung had bought the mobile payment startup LoopPay in February this year for $250 million from where it got the Magnetic stripe card technology. Rumors suggest that Samsung is planning to hold a big event to unveil its new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ and there’s a chance that the company will launch Samsung Pay then.

Here’s a Hands-on Video showing how Samsung Pay works with both Magnetic Stripe Reader and NFC

Samsung Pay in Final Phase of Testing, to Launch in September

Even as Apple Pay is expanding into UK, Samsung Pay is getting ready to challenge it. As per reports, Samsung is planning to launch this feature in the US and Korea September expanding later to Europe and China. Currently, Samsung Pay is in the testing phase as the company wants to remove all the bugs and errors before the launch itself to offer the user a seamless experience.

A report by the South Korean website BusinessKorea says that before rolling out Samsung Pay, the South Korean electronics giant is running comprehensive tests on its technology because the process of transmitting information to card readers through magnetic field at the checkout counters was not working out as smoothly as expected. Sources claim that the company was busy carrying out various tests with 8 card companies in Korea to straighten out all the kinks before launch.

Samsung has bought the mobile payment startup LoopPay and its mobile payment system is based on LoopPay’s Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology. In this system, the user first replicates the card’s magnetic information on the mobile screen and then confirms his own identity through fingerprint scanning. After this, the magnetic field in the smartphone activates the Credit Authorization Terminal (CAT) at the payment outlet.

Samsung Pay will also be using the Near Field Communication (NFC) system along with the MST system for contactless payments which will grant it access to many more checkout terminals compared to Apple Pay and Google Wallet who use only the NFC system. Samsung flagships Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will be the first two devices to support Samsung Pay. But unfortunately there are still some problems with the magnetic field creation and the fingerprint identification especially with some old card readers at its partner outlets which Samsung is rigorously testing in conjunction with various card companies and hopes to get rid of them soon.

An official in the know says, “Samsung Electronics has decided to delay the release date of Samsung Pay from July to Sept. 1st in a bid to make it technically perfect. To minimize the error rates, the company is carrying out various tests.”

Let us see how Samsung Pay fares against other competitors when it hits the market.

Samsung Pay in Final Phase of Testing, to Launch in September

LG announces Watch Urbane LTE, its non-Android Wear Smartwatch with mobile payments and longest battery life

Earlier in the month, LG had announced that it would introduce its new Watch Urbane at the MWC and also gave us a glimpse of the Suave, elegant watch through a promo video a few days back. All this time LG had an LTE variant of the Watch Urbane up its sleeve which it has disclosed now. Watch Urbane LTE is the world’s first smartwatch with LTE support and it will also debut at the MWC 2015 early next month in Barcelona.

Watch Urbane LTE has many upgraded features compared to Watch Urbane. It allows you to make LTE phone calls directly from it without needing a smartphone. You can also hold voice chats like a walkie-talkie, share your GPS location and translate foreign speech. Like Apple Watch, this LG watch too will act as an e-wallet supporting NFC-based mobile payments.

The battery also gets a jump from 410 mAh to 700 mAh, offering the longest battery life compared to any other smartwatch currently in the market. The display turns off automatically when you take off the watch saving battery life. The watch has three control buttons on the right side instead of only one in its predecessor. These buttons help in speedy navigation and quick settings.

Another interesting fact is that Watch Urbane LTE will not be running Android Wear but will run LG’s own proprietary OS that will be compatible with all smartphones running Android 4.4 and above.

As for specs, the watch features the same 1.3-inch P-OLED display with 320×320 pixels resolution and 245ppi pixel density, a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU, 4GB of internal storage and dust and water resistance with IP67 certification, but the RAM has been bumped from 512 MB to 1 GB.

Both the LG Watch Urbane and the Watch Urbane LTE smartwatches will be unveiled by LG at the MWC.

Source LG Korea

Via BGR

LG announces Watch Urbane LTE, its non-Android Wear Smartwatch with mobile payments and longest battery life

Apple Wants To Take NFC Beyond Apple Pay

Google tried to implement NFC through Android but it seems that they were not particularly successful with its implementation. Now, rumor has it that Apple is preparing to use Apple Pay for more than just NFC payments. They are scouting for partnerships to increase the span of NFC payments via the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The payment API is not available to third-parties so Apple Pay can only be used through designated locations right now.

Apple is trying to implement the NFC chip for security, and even things like public transit tickets. They have been in talks with HID Global and Cubic who make secure building access systems that are activated using keycards.

The Apple representatives have talked to technology providers like HID Global and Cubic, which enable secure access to buildings and transit fare systems, respectively, said people briefed on the discussions. Spokespeople for the companies declined to comment about any discussions with Apple, but executives there discussed how they could integrate their systems with the iPhone.

A partnership with Starwood Hotels has already been announced as well. Hotel users can replace their keycards with the Apple Watch which uses bluetooth rather than NFC.

Cook said mobile payments had failed so far because they were built to serve the business models of their creators, rather than to provide a useful experience for customers. (source: Bloomberg)

There has been some backlash from merchants but Apple is going forward with Apple Pay. It is clear that they want this to be a big part of everyday life.

 

Apple Wants To Take NFC Beyond Apple Pay

Huawei announces its Honor Play 4 with on-board NFC and 64 bit processor

Chinese handset manufacturer Huawei has recently announced its new affordable handset Honor Play 4 that comes with NFC on-board and a 64-bit processor.  The smartphone is priced just for a $130 approximate price.

At such a low cost, the smartphone offers some really very promising specs like a 5 inch display screen having 1280×720 pixel resolution. At its heart lies a quad-core Snapdragon 410 SoC that is built on the 64-bit architecture. The memory options for the device include a gig of RAM and an 8GB of built-in storage with microSD card support for expandable memory.

The smartphone is expected to go on sale today for $130 through the company’s own Vmall Chinese store with a tie up with China Telecom only at the moment. However, the company has not said any word regarding its plans for the global roll-out to other countries apart from China at the moment. In order to unleash the processing power of 64-bit architecture, it is said that Huawei might upgrade the OS from Android 4.4.3 to Android L. With the 64-bit processing, the computational power used will get effectively reduced due to the ARM Cortex A53 cores.

One of the most impressive feature that comes with the device is a 4G LTE connectivity options and a NFC on-board. Well, with such pretty good features at such a competitive price, we expect the device to make some big noise in the tech market and give its competitors a run for their money.

Huawei announces its Honor Play 4 with on-board NFC and 64 bit processor

iPhone 6 to have a new mobile payment system and NFC: Reports

Earlier in June, there were reports of the upcoming Apple flagship iPhone 6 to be coming with NFC connectivity that will have its own mobile payment system. Last week, new reports showed that the mobile paying capabilities of the iPhone 6 would be one of its main features that we would see during the official unveiling of the handset on September 9^th.

The famous Touch ID that identifies the identity of users will also include a way to keep some information about charge cards and other financial data secures. If this new feature turns out to be a real deal, it is surely to take mobile payment system to new levels.

Back in May, Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach had confirmed the device to come with a new NFC based mobile payment system. However, we expect to get a stronger confirmation from the company CEO Tim Cook soon on this. Earlier in 2014, mobile payment system was considered to be the major reason behing the development of Touch ID.

Well, the upcoming iPhone 6 is all set to roll on the red-carpet next week and many rumors for the device has elevated the level of anxiety within fans to larger heights. Don’t miss to catch any news pertaining to this upcoming flagship here at Doi-Toshin.

iPhone 6 to have a new mobile payment system and NFC: Reports

iPhone 6 Release Date, Specs and New Features

With new smartphones of all the major phone manufactures already on show, it looks as though now is Apple’s turn. Especially as it has been quite a while since Apple’s last smartphone, the iPhone 5c was out, many are looking forward to a new one – the next generation iPhone which may well be released on September this year.

Following the last month announcement of the iOS 8 operating system, which is expected to be released on September this year, many are suggesting that the iPhone 6 will probably also be released the same month shortly after the release of the OS.

Apple also said that iOS 8 is “the biggest release since the launch of the App Store, giving users incredible new features and developers the tools they need to create amazing new apps”. Which can hint that iPhone 6 might also be ‘the biggest release’ and that it could come with scores of new features. But what are the features that the Cupertino giant is expected to introduce on it’s newest smartphone?

One of the major changes Apple is expected to do is remove the 3.5mm analog audio jack and replace it with a Lightening port that is much smaller. This will also make the new design look lighter and thinner.

Apple was also reported to file patent for NFC a couple of months ago which indicates that the new phone could be NFC enabled. NFC (Near Field Communication) is a technology that enables the exchange of data between similar devices within a set range of distance and Apple could implement it for a mobile payment feature as well as use it to improve it’s wireless sharing tools.

iPhone 6 release date rumored to be September 19

Many claims put forward September, September 19th to be specific, as the release date of the 8th generation iPhone.

Even though there are also some other rumors that Apple has encountered some production issues which could delay the release of the phone until 2015, it’s very likely that the phone will not hit shelves on a month other than September. One reason that backs this up is the fact that the iOS 8, the operating system that iPhone 6 is believed to be coming pre-installed with, is launching that month.

As a matter of course, Apple releases its iPhones between the months June to October ever since the release of the first generation iPhone back in 2007. That is another reason to believe September is the month we might see the phone on sale on the market. Apple has also been reported to limit holidays to its workers during September which should signal they’re planning something big.

Apart from that, there are also reports that two iPhones with different design will be released, one in August and another one in September with display sizes of 4.7- and 5.6-inches respectively. But it’s highly unlikely that Apple will release two smartphones in such a short period of time.

Price of the phone

What the iPhone 6 will be sold for when it hits shelves is not officially known. But many are giving their estimation that it will be sold with a price similar to that of the predecessors, or specifically starting from £549.

While discussing the price and release date, it’s also worth pointing out that there are fraudulent phishing emails going around that claim that the new iPhone has already been released. They try to to persuade you into clicking a link to a phishing site and fill out ID and password, which is nothing but scam.

Possible new features

As far as the overall new features and improvements are concerned, one of the major changes that are expected to be made on the new iPhone is upgraded internal storage capacity which could go up to 128 GB as opposed to the legacy 64 GB capacity Apple seems to stick with for long.

Another new possible feature is display with rounded edges, sidewall display capabilities as well as Sapphire glass screen protection so as to make it strong and unbreakable. The iPhone 6 could also sport a 10-megapizel camera with so many new and improved features including optical image stabilization. Wireless charging capability is also another thing that Apple is likely to add into it’s newest handset.

Below is rumored specs of the upcoming iPhone 6:

Release date: September 19th

OS:  iOS 8

Display: 5.6-inches display with 1704 x 960 Pixel resolution

Camera: 10MP

Internal Storage: up to 128 GB

iPhone 6 Release Date, Specs and New Features

Sony XSP-N1BT in-dash smartphone cradle receiver available for $250

You can now use your smartphone for in-car entertainment. Sony’s latest XSP-N1BT double-DIN smartphone cradle receiver has been released. It is powered by Bluetooth with NFC so that when your smartphone is docked into it, you can get the phone’s audio through the car’s speakers.

Sony’s XSP-N1BT is essentially a stereo with a cradle to dock for your smartphone. The receiver allows you to fit your smartphone in the dock at the front and play audio through the car speakers. The phone can also be used for hands-free calling and can be charged through a USB.

Once your phone is docked in, the NFC pairing and the Sony app will transfer the control of the stereo to your smartphone and you can either listen to the radio or CD through the stereo or listen to music from your phone which will be transferred over Bluetooth to the car’s speakers. You can control the smartphone through its voice control feature for audio playback, navigation etc. If you don’t have a smartphone, the XSP-N1BT can function directly.

All Android phones can be used with the XSP-N1BT audio receiver. It has a 1.5amp USB port and cable for charging. If your smartphone is a Sony one, it will charge automatically through the dock, no cable is needed.

The XSP-N1BT has a price tag of $249.99 and can be bought from Amazon or Crutchfield. The device will be start shipping out from May29, confirming to the May release commitment made by Sony.

Check out the video for the XSP-N1BT smartphone cradle receiver:

Sony XSP-N1BT in-dash smartphone cradle receiver available for $250

Sony Japan announces portable SRS-X1 and SRS-X2 speakers

Sony Japan has announced two new wireless portable speakers SRS-X1 and SRS-X2. Both speakers have Bluetooth version 3.0 and are NFC enabled. They offer one-touch listening function when kept near compatible smartphones. SRS-X1 is waterproof, while SRS-X2 has a high power digital amplifier producing high quality sound.

Sony SRS-X1

The Sony SRS-X1 portable speaker is palm-sized and spherical in shape, convenient to carry around.  It is waterproof with IPx7 rating and can be used for listening in the kitchen, bath or swimming pool. The SRS-X1 will be available in 4 colors: White, Pink, Black and Violet. It has an output of 5 watts and a battery life of about 12 hours. The dimensions of Sony SRS-X1 are 78mm × 80.5mm × 78mm and it weighs around 185 grams. It comes with a micro USB cable and a carrying pouch.

Sony SRS-X2

The Sony SRS-X2 portable speaker has a slightly larger size of 171mm × 60.5mm × 56.5mm and it weighs about 500 grams. It has a maximum output of 20W (10W + 10W) and a battery life of around 5 hours. It has ClearAudio + for high-quality, clear and realistic sound. However, it is not waterproof like the SRS-X1 model. This speaker is available in 2 colors: Black and white.  It comes with a micro USB integrated AC adapter and a carrying pouch.

Both the speakers SRS-X1 and SRS-X2 will be released on June 21 this year. The SRS-X1 is priced at 8500 Yen plus tax which comes to around $85, while the SRS-X2 will cost 9500 Yen plus tax i.e. around $95.

Sony Japan announces portable SRS-X1 and SRS-X2 speakers