You can make Visa contactless payments using the new Swatch Bellamy watch

[Wireless News]

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/4H6iBSWAhZaQ7yfWkflm9Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9ODY7cT03NTt3PT EzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/homerun/digital_trends_973/f0682cb6deafe9304653f73ceca7338a (http://news.yahoo.com/visa-contactless-payments-using-swatch-111010795.html)If you have been yearning for a smartwatch from Swatch, the wait is nearly over, just don’t expect the device to rival those from Apple, Samsung, or LG. The Swatch Bellamy — apparently named after author Edward Bellamy, who in 1888 wrote about a future where payments would be made with debit-style cards rather than cash — is a traditional Swatch with the added ability to make contactless payments.-Here’s everything you need to know about it. Updated on 11-30-2015 by Andy Boxall: Added in news Swatch has teamed up with Visa for mobile payments on the Bellamy Launches in early 2016 Back in May, CEO Nick Hayek revealed the Bellamy would launch in August of this year, but when August passed with no launch in sight,-a new launch date was provided-— January 2016. Swatch has since further confirmed the Bellamy will go on sale in early 2016 in the U.S., Switzerland, and Brazil. The watch will also be sold in China-at Bocom and Swatch outlets for-580 yuan ($91). Visa and UnionPay contactless payment deals At the end of November, Swatch announced a partnership with Visa, and that it would offer contactless payments using the Bellamy watch where Visa cards are accepted. This is made possible by an NFC chip embedded beneath the watch’s face, which doesn’t require additional energy to power, ensuring the Bellamy retains Swatch’s long battery life. Although the Bellamy watch will initially only go on sale in the U.S., Switzerland, and Brazil, the Visa payment system will work anywhere in the world. Related: This is Fossil’s Android Wear smartwatch, the Q Founder Swatch will also sell the Bellamy watch in China, but it doesn’t appear the Visa partnership extends there. Instead, Swatch has-cut a deal with Bank of Communications Co., which means customers will be able to make payments in stores that have China UnionPay Co’s point-of-sale machines. Bank of Communications is one of China’s five largest banks. Interestingly, smartwatches from Samsung and Apple aren’t linked to the UnionPay network, which gives the Swatch Bellamy a leg up. However, the Swatch Bellamy won’t have nearly the same capabilities as rival wearables since it’s not a connected device, hence the lower price. Swatch feels that by not connecting the Bellamy to the Internet, consumer data will be protected. Before the Visa announcement, and when asked about why Switzerland isn’t the launch market, CEO Nick Hayek said it takes “months and months” to organize something similar with Swiss banks. The Visa team-up avoids having to make individual deals with banks. Swatch has a chance to be successful with the Bellamy even though it won’t be as “smart” as the competition. On top of the competitive price, it’s more traditionally-elegant and will likely have great battery life. We’ll know more when it goes on sale early next year. Article originally published on 10-14-2015



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