KEMPELE, FINLAND / STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, May 15, 1PM EEST, 2024
Polar Electro, the world leader in personal guidance for fitness, sport, and health, has announced a partnership with the pioneering Swedish tech company Fidesmo to introduce a new collection of sports watch wristbands that are enabled for convenient and safe contactless payments. Simple to adapt and made of soft, durable silicone, these payment wristbands are compatible with all Polar watches that support standard 20mm and 22mm lug widths. With this solution, integrating contactless payments into a Polar watch is as simple as swapping wristbands.
The new Polar Payment Wristbands are fitted with an NFC chip that links payment cards and Fidesmo Pay, a robust and safe contactless payment service. With the Fidesmo Pay app, users can connect their payment card to the wearable. As soon as the payment function is activated on the Fidesmo Pay app, users can pay for goods and services at any contactless terminal in-store.
The solution is highly secure since the wristband only stores a token representing the user’s payment card, eliminating the need to transmit the actual card number during transactions.
Fidesmo’s solution enables advanced secure hardware transactions, similar to Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
“This innovative approach makes contactless payment with Polar watches as simple and secure as can be, and elevates the appeal of our products instantly,” said Tarja Määttä, Business Director, Devices and Consumer Channels at Polar. “Since the chip is embedded within the wristband, this solution is compatible with most Polar watches. This includes not only the latest and most advanced models such as the Polar Vantage V3 and the new Polar Grit X2 Pro, but also beloved classics like the Ignite series and entry-level watches like Polar Unite.”
“Integrating Fidesmo’s cutting edge, secure and flexible solution into Polar’s trusted line of sports watches represents the joint compatibility and vision of both brands,” said Anders Malmström, CEO of Fidesmo. “We are proud to bring Fidesmo Pay’s convenience and security to Polar’s active audience, making everyday transactions seamless and more integrated into our users’ lifestyles, not to mention the possibility of bringing more services to Polar. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, quality, and enhancing the user experience.”
Like other Polar wristbands, the new Polar Payment Wristbands are designed specifically for sports, crafted from soft, yet durable, sweat-resistant silicone to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
Fidesmo Pay is available in over 40 European countries and works with any terminal that supports contactless payments worldwide.
Availability
The new Polar Payment Wristbands will be available for purchase exclusively on Polar.com in Europe from May 15th onwards in black in both standard 20mm and 22mm lug widths for 59,90€.
Fidesmo Pay currently supports payment cards and banks in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. For more details and the full list of supported banks and payment cards, see https://fidesmo.com/consumer/fidesmo-pay/
For further information:
Pauliina Sjölund
Director, PR
polar@miltton.com
Anders Malmström
CEO Fidesmo
ABOUT POLAR
For nearly 50 years, Polar has provided guidance for health, sports, and fitness with the world’s best measurement technology and data-driven user insight to help people – from first-timers to professional athletes – succeed in their pursuit of a happier and healthier life. Renowned for an unparalleled dedication to science and deep understanding of sports, wellness, and technology, Polar has cemented itself globally within the industry as the go-to partner for anyone looking to discover their true potential. Our award-winning product range includes pioneering sports wearables that work elegantly with Polar training apps and cloud services.
For more information, please visit www.polar.com
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ABOUT FIDESMO
Fidesmo is a Swedish technology company founded in 2013, making it easier for people to interact with their surroundings securely and seamlessly by providing a platform for contactless services and secure element based hardware. Fidesmo offers integrations that enables devices to be used for contactless payments, public transport tickets, access control, and more. The company’s mission is to bring convenience and security to the everyday lives of users worldwide.
Fidesmo has established partnerships with a wide range of organizations, from financial institutions to public transport operators and access control companies, to embed its technology into a variety of devices — from watches and wristbands to key fobs and smartphones. With a strong commitment to privacy and security, Fidesmo ensures that all interactions are not only seamless but also protected by the latest encryption technology.
For more information, please visit www.fidesmo.com
