With a robust and easy-to-use API system, Samsung Checkout on TV promises to bring a whole new world for developers. Using this native billing option, Samsung aims to help make TV app markets more dynamic and fruitful, just as mobile and online payment systems have already transformed transactions for consumers.

As the world’s No. 1 TV maker for the past 10 years, Samsung has sold more than 427 million TVs worldwide over the past decade. The fact that it has the largest base of TVs installed puts Samsung in a great position for this new era in TV. Samsung Checkout works on all Smart TVs from 2014 to 2016, and 2013 models will also be supported by the end of this year.

For developers, this represents a huge opportunity. Without having to rely on a complicated, totally separate billing system, they can offer paid features right from Samsung Smart TVs. For consumers, being able to purchase goods, apps and services directly from their TVs could be a vastly richer experience, bringing together many aspects of life together in one easy package. Now, when viewers see something they like – whether it be extra content, offers in a game, etc. – they don’t have to hunt around for their mobile phone or haul out their computer to make a purchase; they can buy it right away, right from their TV screen.

What Is Samsung Checkout on TV?

Samsung Checkout on TV is a payment system specially created for the TV experience. Available in 53 countries and still growing, Samsung Checkout has a simple management system for items and transactions, as well as handling payments, settlements, etc. It can handle a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, and depending on the region, mobile carriers and PayPal as well.

How It Works

Samsung Checkout is a fast and simple two-step system designed to work with the TV remote control. Once consumers register their credit card, they just need to click “Pay Now” to buy an item, then enter a four-digital PIN.

Samsung Checkout on TV: When you use your credit card.

And what can consumers actually buy? There are in-app purchases, paid apps and subscriptions. In addition, Samsung Checkout can be used for promotional tools, like coupons and vouchers, as well as free trial subscriptions.

Already there are more than 50 games consumers can download and more than 500 they can stream, though GameFly and Playstation Now. HBO Now is allows users to sign up for subscription information via Samsung Checkout simply by entering the user’s email address.

How Samsung Checkout on TV Helps Developers

Samsung Checkout is designed to work smoothly with app developers, integrated through REST API and Client API. It can operate with several app types, including web apps, native apps (like G-Player) and Unity. All told, there are six APIs to manage the payment process. One client-level API, BuyItem, to invoke the payment UI on the screen, and five open APIs: Request purchase List, Request Products List, Verify Purchase, Apply Product, and Subscription Cancel.

Protected with Samsung’s Leading Security

Of course, any system that deals with purchases and payments has to be incredibly secure, protecting both the data and consumers’ peace of mind. Samsung Checkout on TV employs Samsung’s Smart TV security solutions including Samsung Secure Keyboard and Samsung Secure Numpad to secure financial information in the payment process.

For more information about Samsung Smart TV SDKs, check out: https://www.samsungdforum.com/

* Samsung account, as well as initial activation, including credit card/PayPal account registration, and other authorization process required for Samsung Checkout on TV.

** Availability of apps, services, promotions and payment methods subject to change without prior notice or obligation.

During the 2016 Samsung Smart TV session, the Samsung Smart View SDK will be introduced to developers as a new feature which enables seamless connection and communication between mobile devices and Samsung TVs. And, in an effort to enable Samsung partners to increase accessibility to their content, the new Smart TV SDK will feature a Preview title, which can be set to appear directly on the first screen of the Smart Hub.

Samsung is also making a new Smart TV-optimized payment solution, Samsung Checkout on TV, available to all developers. Previously, Samsung Checkout on TV has been offered to select key partners only. But following the announcement, all game and app developers will be able to create services that can accept payments from consumers and monetize efficiently and effectively on Samsung Smart TVs, the largest installed base of TVs in the world over the last decade.

A new open source project called TOAST was another developer resource introduced during the conference. This allows developers to target a broader range of devices such as 2012-2014 Smart TVs and prevents them from having to rewrite TV apps for different operating systems. TOAST will be extended to other operating systems including WebOS TV and Android TV.

“We are constantly aiming to advance the Smart TV viewing experience by streamlining how users access their favorite applications and smart content,” said Sang Kim, Vice President of Visual Display at Samsung Electronics. “Our new enhancements will not only improve the viewing experience for the user, but also for developers who are creating new content on a regular basis.”