Smartwatch Pebble has welcomed PayPal to its growing selection of apps, making payment possible without reaching for a phone or wallet.
Users are able to check-in to pay or complete a transaction with a dedicated payment code at participating US retailers and businesses, in addition to receiving payment notifications, all from their wrist.
The senior director of partnerships and global solutions at PayPal, Joel Yarbrough expressed his enthusiasm for PayPal’s involvement with the evolution of the smartphone and on-the-go payments, as his company looks to get ahead in the ever-developing world of wearable technology.
“At PayPal, we’re working to make shopping easy and seamless so that you are one step closer to walking into a store and being able to place your order and pay without ever reaching into your pocket” he said.
To coincide with the introduction of the PayPal app to its smartwatches, Pebble now accepts PayPal payments on its website.
Wearables gain momentum
Beyond healthcare devices and fitness based technology, wearable technology has started to gain huge momentum, with the launch of the Apple Watch, Will.i.am’s PULS and Bionym’s Nymi wristband, which enables users to unlock their Bitcoin wallet with their heartbeat.
According to the Wearable Technology in Industry Verticals 2014 – 2019 report from Research and Markets, global spending on wearable devices is estimated to grow from $9 billion in 2014 to $218 billion in 2019, driven by consumer wearables, military applications and practical solutions for healthcare.
Paypal has been a longstanding proponent of wearable technology, with the PayPal app available on Samsung’s Gear 2, Gear S and Gear Fit and the latest Android Wear devices.