In the beginning, we had car keys, and even though this item we now take for granted wasn't used to start car engines for the first few decades of the automotive industry, the physical car key became the norm in the mid-20th century.
Today, the concept of a physical car key is morphing into something more technologically advanced, as digital car keys are slowly gaining more popularity.
Samsung has developed its own digital car key for Galaxy smartphones equipped with ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. Last year, the company unveiled its first digital car key for the Genesis GV60 electric vehicle. And today, Samsung announced that the digital car key is available through Samsung Pass in select markets — presumably South Korea, as per the original announcement last year.
Later this year, the digital car key feature will be added to Samsung Wallet. The latter will allow Galaxy smartphone users to store and manage digital keys securely on their mobile devices.
Samsung to expand upon the digital car key with support for more phones and vehicles
Appropriately enough, considering its name, the Genesis GV60 is the first EV to support Samsung's digital car key feature. Nevertheless, Samsung claims that it continues working to expand the service “through innovative collaboration with global car companies.”
In other words, Samsung wants to bring the digital car key feature to more vehicles. In addition, the company is also working on increasing the number of smartphones that support digital car keys via UWB technology. So, more UWB-enabled Galaxy phones should be on the way to the market.
As of now, devices that support digital car keys via Samsung Pass are the Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Fold 3.
In markets where the feature is now available through Samsung Pass, Genesis GV60 owners can set up their digital car keys by installing the Genesis Connect Service app in the car, selecting “Vehicle” on the infotainment system, and selecting “Digital Key,” followed by “Register.”
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