Samsung has announced a limited edition Olympic Games version of its new Galaxy S3 handset, designed to help highlight the benefits of mobile payment services during the 3-week sporting event.
The special version of Samsung’s flagship phone comes equipped with Visa’s payWave mobile app, which utilises the Galaxy S3’s near-field communications (NFC) chip to enable users to pay for merchandise, food and drink within the Olympic Village and plenty of other retail locations throughout London.
The app works as a digital wallet, with users being able to pay for items by simply waving the device over a contactless payment terminal. A passcode will only be required for payments of more than £20.
However, the official mobile of the London 2012 Olympic Games will only be available to sponsored athletes and selected trialists.
DJ Lee, executive vice president of marketing at Samsung said: “Mobile payment services enabled by NFC technology are gaining momentum around the world.”
“The Samsung Galaxy S III has been created with our human needs and capabilities in mind and is the ideal device to showcase the ease and convenience of Visa’s mobile payment application at the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
Sandra Alzetta, senior vice-president of mobile at Visa Europe, commented: “The future is mobile and cash usage will only continue to decline as people use their mobile devices to manage their money, shop and pay.”
“This summer our partnership with Samsung will showcase all the advantages of the future of payments: security, convenience, speed and flexibility being forefront among them.”
