Lost too many Ezlink cards over the past decade? Now, you can wear them on your wrists.
You don’t have to worry about misplacing your EZ-Link card anymore, you can finally pay for your public transport trips with wearable devices – specifically two models released in collaboration with EZ-Link. In a press statement, EZ-Link announced the release of the Batman v Superman Fitness Tracker X EZ-Link and the Garmin vívosmart HR with EZ-Link smartwatch, both of which double as digital purse for public transport rides and a typical fitness smartwatch.
The Batman v Superman Fitness Tracker X EZ-Link, also known as Sharkey, is a more basic model, only allowing users to track their steps taken, the number of calories burnt, and sleep quality. By comparison, the Garmin vívosmart HR with EZ-Link offers those features, along with an accurate heart rate monitor, and the ability to receive notifications from Whatsapp and Facebook.
Said to be available online starting January 24, and slated to be available in physical stores by end-March, the two smartwatches would make Singapore the first Southeast Asian country to offer users the option to pay for their public transport rides with the use of a wearable device.
Wearables have been slow to catch on, both here in Singapore and around the world. But as tech companies continue to refine the technology, add new functions, and reduce the initial price point, we’re starting to see a swifter adoption rate for the technology. Likewise, we’re also witnessing a stronger push by companies to promote their smart devices, with Apple, Samsung, and Fossil, all taking up major ad-space in Singapore’s shopping district for the promotion of the Apple Watch, the Samsung Gear S3, and the Fossil Q Smartwatch.
A Contactless Country
A good example of how fast Singapore catches onto a new piece of technology would be the smooth adoption of NFC contactless payments. The launch of Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay last year brought with it a whole lot of fanfare – as well as impressive advertising campaigns and tie-ins by all three companies – and by the end of the year, contactless terminal payments using your phone was no stranger than taking out a physical card.
As a nation with one of the highest smartphone penetration levels in the world – reportedly 3 smartphones for every 2 people – as well as the highest average peak internet connection speed in the world, Singapore is in the perfect position to receive new technologies and implement them at speed.
