Samsung Wallet App Launched
Samsung have today unveiled their new ‘Wallet’ app at the Mobile World Congress, an Android version of Apple’s popular Passbook app.
Samsung Wallet aims to deliver Android users the same functionality enjoyed by iPhone owners who use Passbook, with the ability to store and manage loyalty cards, gift vouchers, tickets, coupons and boarding passes all within a single app. Samsung Wallet also offers location-based push notifications and real-time updates. If these all sound like Passbook features, that’s because they are. Everything about Samsung Wallet, right down to the design and interface is almost a direct carbon-copy of Apple’s Passbook app.
It’s no coincidence that Samsung chose to reveal Wallet during it’s Developer Day at the Mobile World Congress – Samsung have launched Wallet with an open API and are encouraging developers to sign up for the beta ahead of the official March 7 release date.
Samsung’s Wallet app already boasts several high-profile partners, including MLB, Expedia and Walgreens.
In an interesting move, Samsung have not included NFC functionality with the Wallet app. Samsung will rely upon companies such as VISA to create 3rd party apps that will take advantage of the app’s potential for NFC-based payments.
What do you think of the new Samsung Wallet app? A useful addition or a shameless Passbook clone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.