OREANDA-NEWS. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is releasing an app for use on mobile devices, which can be used by the public to familiarise themselves with the new 50-franc note. The app – called the ‘50-franc’ app – can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple (itunes.apple.com) and Google Play (play.google.com) app stores. It explains in an engaging way key information on the security features and interesting details about the design.

The 50-franc app is an augmented reality app which operates with the camera of a smartphone or tablet. When the device’s camera is positioned over a new 50-franc note, the app displays the note’s various security features and design elements. It is also possible to enlarge the individual features or watch a short video clip. The app helps users to explore the new banknote, but it cannot be used to test if a note is genuine.

The app can be run on either the iOS (Apple) or Android operating system and is available in both smartphone and tablet versions (Apple: iPhone 4s or newer and for iPad; Google: for high-performance devices running Android 4.1 or later). It is available in a number of languages – English, French, German and Italian.

On 6 April 2016, the SNB presented its new banknote series to the public. The inspiration behind the new series is ‘The many facets of Switzerland’. Each note depicts a typically Swiss characteristic. The 50-franc note, which focuses on the wealth of experiences Switzerland has to offer, has just been put into circulation. The next denomination, the 20-franc note, will be issued in spring 2017. Issuance of the remaining notes in the series is scheduled to be completed by 2019. The notes of the eighth series will remain legal tender until further notice.