Latest news with #SamsungPay
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch on offer for £39 in limited Wowcher deal
The deals website is offering discounts on refurbished Galaxy smartwatches Gymgoers and daily step-count fanatics know that smartwatches can cost upwards of £200, especially for leading brands such as Samsung and Apple. However, shoppers who don't mind choosing an older model can currently buy a refurbished Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch on Wowcher for £39. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Bluetooth 42mm SM-R810 automatically tracks more than 39 types of activities and comes complete with GPS, ideal for runners and those who enjoy long rambles. It's also equipped with a 1.2-inch screen and can track a user's heart rate, sleep rate, and calorie intake. The exact same watch is also on sale at Amazon for £70 however, there is limited availability. Wowcher sells the refurbished watch in two 'grades' - Grade A (minimal wear) is categorised as 'Very Good', and Grade B is 'Good' (light signs of use). Both grades offer fully functional devices, Wowcher says. The £39 option for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Bluetooth 42mm SM-R810 falls into the Grade B group. On Amazon, customers can find reviews of the fitness trackers. One person said: "Replaced a three-year-old edition and really like the new one. Battery life is really, really improved!" The same customer continued: "Functionality remains great. Have not tried Sleep tracking so I did not rate it. The watch has been everything I hoped it would be, could not be happier." Another stated a downside, saying: "Does not work with Samsung Pay, the app is not installed, and there is no Samsung Pay option in the Galaxy Wearable app." Shoppers who would prefer a newer model and don't mind paying the extra price can pick up a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 (40mm) for £239, usually £289. The sale price is available at Amazon and applies to the green and cream colourways. Another premium option is Apple's Watch SE priced at £219. The 40mm watch has PGS and can be used to make calls and send messages, as well as fitness and tracker features. Customers new to Wowcher can find general reviews of the retailer's services on Trustpilot. One user said: "Easy ordering and payment system, no hassle." Another added: "Lots of good experiences at great prices!" Another left a mixed review, noting a downside to the site's userability. They said: "I like the discounts, but it's very confusing trying to redeem."
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Mastercard Stay Ahead in the Race Toward a Digital Wallet Future?
Mastercard Incorporated MA, long regarded as a leading player in global payments, is rushing to reinvent itself as a tech-forward payments enabler in a world where physical cards are no longer the mainstay. This comes as digital wallets, tap-to-pay technologies and tokenized payments completely change how consumers deal with money. Mastercard is taking a comprehensive approach to adapt to the changing landscape. Its Mastercard Digital Enablement Service and Tokenization services are helping banks and fintech companies to securely integrate card details into popular digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. MA is strengthening its collaborations with major players and diving into the Buy Now, Pay Later trend. Its engagement with Central Bank Digital Currencies and crypto-friendly initiatives shows it is committed to staying relevant, even as blockchain alternatives continue to rise in popularity. By partnering with major tech companies, the company ensures that Mastercard credentials are seamlessly integrated into digital ecosystems. Whether it's facilitating tap-to-pay transactions through wearables or launching APIs for smooth checkout experiences, MA is paving the way for a cardless future. Its focus on cybersecurity, biometric authentication and AI-powered fraud detection adds value in a space where trust is critical. Mastercard's global network and strategic collaborations position it well in the race toward a cardless future. But staying ahead will depend not just on scale but on its ability to innovate faster than rising fintech and tech-native rivals. Some of MA's competitors in the digital wallet space are Visa Inc. V and PayPal Holdings, Inc. PYPL. Visa has been aggressive in its digital evolution, particularly through its Visa Token Service. It is partnering with tech giants and focusing on contactless and in-app payments. Visa sets itself apart in its push into real-time payments via acquisitions in open banking and cross-border solutions. PayPal operates its own digital wallet, with features like PayPal Checkout, Venmo and even crypto trading within the app. PayPal directly connects with users instead of operating behind the scenes. Additionally, it is making a push into in-store payments with QR codes and contactless options. In the year-to-date period, MA's shares have gained 7% compared with the industry's rise of 5.4%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, MA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 32.36, above the industry average of 22.76. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard's 2025 earnings implies 9.5% growth from the year-ago period. It witnessed two upward estimate revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Mastercard currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Mastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Visa Inc. (V) : Free Stock Analysis Report PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Observer
09-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Google Pay - a contactless payment option for Oman's Android users
Muscat: Google recently announced the start of Google Pay or Google Wallet in two new countries, Lebanon and Oman, which can be used via Android phone devices. While making an announcement, the company said Google Pay allows people to pay and make secure purchases in stores (where contactless payments are accepted), in apps, and on the web. Cardholders will also be able to store credit or debit cards for Google Pay within Google Wallet, a digital wallet. Cardholders can make safer payments with multiple layers of security for transactions by using a virtual card number (a token), device-specific, that is associated with a dynamic security code that changes with each transaction. In Oman, Users can utilize Google Pay to make purchases through websites and mobile applications that support the service. However, features like sending money to friends or paying for services are not supported in Oman. For now, only Sohar International Bank has enabled Google Pay for customers, allowing them to make contactless payments using their Android phones. This service is available for international debit, credit, and prepaid cardholders. To use Google Pay, customers need to add their card to the Google Wallet app. Last year, with the launch of the Apple Pay service, the Sultanate of Oman joined the rest of the GCC markets that enable people to make online and offline payments via mobile devices. Unlike Samsung Pay, Google Pay will be available for all Android mobile users with versions Android 9 or higher. Mohammed bin Saif al Manji of TechOneFive, an initiative group promoting awareness of new technologies, stated, "Digital payments in Oman are gaining remarkable momentum, driven by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO)'s proactive efforts to promote a cashless society through initiatives such as mobile wallets, QR code payments, and robust card tokenization frameworks. The launch of Samsung Pay in April 2024 and Apple Pay in September 2024 marked key milestones in this journey. The recent support for Google Pay adds another secure and convenient option for users across the Sultanate. These platforms empower consumers to make contactless payments seamlessly using their smartphones and smartwatches. Many Omani banks have integrated these solutions, enabling customers to link their debit and credit cards effortlessly. This aligns directly with Oman Vision 2040, which emphasizes digital transformation and sustainable economic modernization.'
Leaders
08-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
SAMA Grants License to Awn Alraidah Company for Consumer Microfinance Activities
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has granted a license to Awn Alraidah Company, allowing it to provide consumer microfinance services using financial technology. With this addition, the number of companies authorized to offer consumer microfinance solutions in the Kingdom has increased to nine, bringing the total number of finance companies licensed by SAMA to 68. This move aligns with SAMA's ongoing efforts to strengthen the financial sector, improve transaction efficiency, and encourage innovative financial solutions that support broader financial inclusion across Saudi Arabia. SAMA emphasizes the importance of dealing only with licensed financial institutions. A complete list of authorized entities is available on the official SAMA website. Related Topics: GASTAT: Saudi Arabia's Inflation Holds Steady at 2.2% in May 2025 Saudi Arabia's Inflation Rate Eases to 1.9% in December Rental Prices Drive Inflation in August 2024: GASTAT SAMA Officially Launches 'Samsung Pay' in Saudi Arabia Short link : Post Views: 15 Related Stories
Motor 1
08-07-2025
- Motor 1
‘Apple/Samsung/Google Pay Use Tokens Instead:' Woman Reaches for Tap-to-Pay Option at QuickTrip. Then She Takes a Closer Look
Mobile payments are fast, secure, and frictionless, unless you're tapping into the wrong system. One viral video is raising questions about how trust in tech can be exploited, one gas pump at a time. In a recent TikTok clip, St. Louis-based creator Martice (@lovemartice) gives an up-close look at the potential scam that could give billing and payment access to bad actors rather than the honest retailers trying to make purchases as simple as possible. She appears to be at an area QuikTrip. 'We gotta stop doing tap-to-pay at the gas stations,' she warns in the video that's been viewed more than 70,000 times. Beware of Scammers' Stickers The scam at the heart of the video is surprisingly low-tech. A scammer prints a personal payment QR code , usually linked to platforms like Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal, and slaps it on or near a gas pump's tap-to-pay terminal. These decals often mimic the design of legitimate payment prompts, leading distracted drivers to assume they're paying the gas station. Instead, they're unknowingly sending money directly to the scammer. What's worse: when you tap your phone, the payment goes through instantly, but the pump doesn't start. That confusion is exactly what scammers count on. Unlike traditional credit card skimming, which steals and reuses card data, this tactic doesn't compromise your bank account or identity. It simply spoofs your behavior, rerouting your money to someone else while leaving your financial credentials untouched. Legitimate tap-to-pay readers at gas stations are integrated directly into the pump's authorization system, meaning the pump won't dispense gas unless the station's point of sale network verifies the transaction. If you pay a scammer instead, the pump stays inactive, but your money is already gone. While frustrating, this makes the scam easy to detect in hindsight: no gas, confirmation, or transaction on the pump's display. Tokens Enhance Security Tap-to-pay systems, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, operate on standards developed by EMVCo, a global consortium owned by major payment networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay. EMVCo sets the protocols for secure contactless and chip-based payments, ensuring data is encrypted and tokenized during transactions. These standards make tap-to-pay transactions resistant to traditional fraud like card skimming. The good news is that contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are, by design, among the safest forms of payment. These systems use tokenization , which replaces your card number with a unique, encrypted token for each transaction. Even if someone were to intercept it, it wouldn't be reusable. More Scamming Someone Deepfaked Ferrari CEO's Voice and Tried to Scam the Company How I Was Scammed Out Of $200 Trying To Buy My Dream Porsche Worldwide, fraudulent transactions, even including all card-present and card-not-present fraud, make up only about 0.01%–0.05% of daily transactions . This aligns with findings in the UK , where only 0.0151% of total contactless spending was linked to fraud. That said, the security of the technology doesn't eliminate the risk of social engineering, and that's exactly what this sticker scam exploits. You're not being hacked; you're being misled. To avoid this kind of deception , the best defense is awareness and scrutiny. Always take a quick look at the payment terminal before tapping. Legitimate payment prompts will be consistent across pumps and typically part of the pump's design or embedded touchscreen. If you see a paper sticker with a Venmo handle or QR code placed awkwardly on the machine, that's an immediate red flag. Many gas stations offer official apps or loyalty programs, such as Exxon Mobil Rewards+ or Shell's Fuel Rewards, that integrate contactless payment and provide extra security. If something feels off, step inside and pay at the counter. If you do spot a suspicious sticker or believe you've sent money to a scammer, you can file a fraud report directly through the payment platform you used—whether that's Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal. You should also alert the gas station manager so they can remove the sticker and inspect other pumps, and consider filing a local police report. Part of what makes this scam so effective is how quickly and habitually many of us use tap-to-pay. As mobile wallets have become more common, used by 53% of smartphone users in the U.S. as of 2023, so has our reliance on speed and ease over vigilance. Scammers aren't cracking systems or defeating encryption. They're exploiting muscle memory. A fake sticker takes seconds to place and can blend easily with a cluttered pump, especially at night or in bad weather. Motor1 reached out to Martice via direct message and to EMVCo via a website submission form. We'll update this article if either responds. Now Trending 'Watched Too Much Fast & Furious:' MK4 Toyota Supra Evades Police on Highway. Then a Trooper Conducts 'Insane' PIT Maneuver 'Can't Unsee It:' Why Are Drivers Flipping Their Ford Logos Around? Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
