PayPal launches Galaxy S5 fingerprint sensor payments in 25 countries, Gear apps

Just minutes after we told you about AliBaba's similar plans, PayPal announced that fingerprint-based payments using the Samsung Galaxy S5's fingerprint scanner are now available in 25 countries.

In addition, apps for the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear Fit are available too. Strangely enough, said 25 countries haven't been specified anywhere, so it's pretty much anyone's guess where the functionality is available.

PayPal's system works by letting S5 owners log-in and authorize payments with a swipe over the smartphone's home button. No password entry fields, no dotted-out passwords, and hopefully, no worries are to be found from now on.

As PayPal has always been heavily scrutinized for its security practices, the company is enthusiastically communicates the system's robustness. John Lunn, 'Chief Wizard' of PayPal X UK, commented:

'Customers can use their finger to pay with PayPal from their new Samsung Galaxy S5 because the FIDO Ready software on the device securely communicates between the fingerprint sensor on their device and PayPal’s service in the cloud. The only information the device shares with PayPal is a unique encrypted key that allows PayPal to verify the identity of the customer without having to store any biometric information on PayPal’s servers.”

As for PayPal's wearable apps, they will let users check balances, receive notifications, and save offers from local businesses. Not that you can't use your smartphone for these purposes, but smart-watches are more hip now. If you've ever used the eBay app for the original Galaxy Gear, you know what to expect. Meanwhile, the apps should be available for Gear owners soon, and they probably won't be limited to 25 countries.

SOURCE: PhoneArena

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