News

Areeba To Bring Biometric Payment Authentication To MENA

The service will let shoppers authenticate transactions using Face ID or fingerprints.

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2023

areeba to bring biometric payment authentication to mena

Areeba, the Middle East’s leading payment processing service provider, has introduced Out-of-Band authentication (OOB) in partnership with Swiss payment experts, Netcetera. The biometric and fingerprint-reading technology represents the most convenient method for cardholders to make secure and flawless e-commerce transactions.

Instead of entering a password or receiving confirmation via text message, cardholders can use fingerprints or facial recognition to authenticate payments, thus reducing fraud and enabling a smooth purchasing experience more aligned with modern shopping habits and lifestyles.

“Areeba is always an early adopter of cutting-edge technologies to provide its customers with the highest level of fraud protection. We are pleased to launch the OOB with Netcetera, a company that combines quality, reliability, service, and innovation,” says Maher Mikati, CEO of Areeba.

Also Read: Gen Z Spearheading Payment Innovation In The Middle East

According to Statista, in 2022, the biometric and digital identity sector was valued at 28 billion USD, and forecasted to exceed 70 billion USD by 2027.

The MENA region is a particularly strong market for the type of technology provided by Areeba, and with Netcetera’s expertise and technology, the new service is full of potential. According to Netcetera, their platform “provides continuous upgrades and updates to support all new trends and client requirements in the payment industry”, offering the best solutions to clients for improving conversion and helping to grow their fintech businesses.

News

Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent

According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

samsung smart glasses teased for january software reveal imminent

Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.

As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.

Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.

Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…

— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024

The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.

A Collaborative Software Effort

Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.

Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.

Feature Set And Compatibility

The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.