SmartThings Find is a specialized service that allows users to locate various Samsung devices, including Galaxy smartphones, tablets, wearables, and tags. (Image provided by Samsung Elecs)
SEOUL, Jun. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – Samsung Electronics announced on June 27 that it has partnered with KB Kookmin Card to introduce an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) credit card, leveraging low-energy Bluetooth (BLE) technology and Samsung’s SmartThings Find service.
SmartThings Find is a specialized service that allows users to locate various Samsung devices, including Galaxy smartphones, tablets, wearables, and tags. The new IoT credit card incorporates this technology, enabling cardholders to track their cards domestically and internationally if lost or misplaced.
Using the SmartThings Find service, customers can pinpoint the last location where their Galaxy smartphone was connected to the card via BLE, as well as access location history for the past seven days.
The card’s functionality extends beyond self-location. Users can set up a “find and alert” feature in the SmartThings Find service, allowing them to trigger their smartphone’s ringtone by pressing a button on the IoT credit card. This feature works both ways, helping users locate either their misplaced phone or the card itself.
Additional features include push notifications when the card moves too far from the connected Galaxy smartphone and voice-activated location checks through Samsung’s Bixby assistant.
The IoT credit card can be charged using a smartphone’s wireless charger and boasts a battery life of approximately 30 days on a single charge.
This pioneering product, a collaboration between Samsung Electronics and KB Kookmin Card, is being launched as the KB Kookmin SKYPASS IoT Titanium Card under the American Express brand. The initial release is limited to 1,000 cards on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications for the card opened on June 27 through KB Kookmin Card’s website and the KB Pay app.
This launch follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in September of last year between Samsung Electronics, KB Kookmin Card, and American Express for the development of IoT cards.
“We plan to expand the application of the SmartThings Find platform to products from partner companies that require location tracking, like this IoT credit card,” stated Samsung Electronics Vice President Park Chan-woo. He added, “Through ongoing partnerships, we aim to broaden the ecosystem of SmartThings Find technology, enhancing meaningful connected experiences and benefits for our customers.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
