Samsung Pay beta opens in U.S.: Here's how to get in
http://www.zdnet.com/article/samsung-pay-beta-opens-in-u-s-heres-how-to-get-in/Now Samsung only has to include Bitcoin payment (and receive!) option as well ..
Samsung Pay beta opens in U.S.: Here's how to get in
Samsung Pay launches next month but you can get in early if you meet the requirements and sign up for the beta program.
By Kevin Tofel for Mobile Platforms | August 27, 2015 -- 14:49 GMT (15:49 BST) | Topic: Samsung
Samsung Pay is expected to launch next month in the U.S. and the company is gearing up by opening a beta test of its payment service that uses both NFC chips and magnetic fields to complete purchase transactions.
MATTHEW MILLER
SamMobile noticed a signup page for potential beta testers on Thursday to help kick the tires of Samsung Pay. Here's the official site for those interested.
Before you go sign up, note that there are some specific requirements.
You'll need one of the latest handsets from the company: Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ and Note 5 are all supported. Your phone also has to be on one of these carrier networks: AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or U.S. Cellular.
Verizon Wireless is conspicuously absent from the list as the carrier says it is still evaluating Samsung Pay and will update customers in the future on any decision.
Also required is a Samsung account email address and one of these qualifying cards to add to your Samsung Pay wallet:
Bank of America consumer credit, debit cards, small business debit cards (owner card only)
Merrill Lynch consumer credit cards
U.S. Trust consumer credit, debit cards
U.S. Bank consumer or small business Visa credit and debit cards
Elan Financial consumer or small business Visa credit card
That's a fairly limited selection of supported banks compared to Apple Pay and Google Wallet / Android Pay.
However, Samsung sells the bulk of Android phones in the U.S. so it's in a bank's best interest to support Samsung Pay; watch for additional bank announcements after the beta period.
