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Amazon just launched an app that lets people sign up for its palm recognition service without having to head to an in-store kiosk. The Amazon One app uses a smartphone's camera to take a photo of a palm print to set up an account. Once signed up, you can pay for stuff by using just your hand, ending the tyranny of having to carry a smartphone, cash or a burdensome plastic card.
The tech uses generative AI to analyze a palm's vein structure, turning the data into a "unique numerical, vector representation" which is recognized by scanning machines at retail locations. You'll have to add a payment method within the app to get started and upload a photo of your ID for the purpose of age verification.
The app launches today for iOS and Android. Previously, you'd have to go to a physical location to sign up for Amazon One. Beyond payments, the tech is also used as an age verification tool and as a way to enter concerts and sporting events without having to bring along a ticket.
Once you hand over your palm-print to the completely benevolent Amazon corporation, you'll have unfettered access to each and every Whole Foods grocery store throughout the country. Amazon,
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Governor Tina Kotek signed the law in yesterday, and it will take effect starting in 2025 and applying to some hardware as far back as 2015. It was a surprisingly bipartisan effort in an otherwise bitterly divided political climate, with the Oregon state House of Representatives passing it by 42-13 and the Senate going 25-5. "This is a win for consumers and will help bridge our digital divide and support small businesses across our state," said Kotek.
The seven-page law SB 1596 (PDF link) includes such Right to Repair staples as requiring manufacturers to make repair documentation and tools available, making replacement parts available directly for sale or through distributors, and not blocking third-party parts from functioning. But it's the "parts pairing" portion of the law that has advocates like iFixit excited.
Parts pairing is a process that uses a
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