ShapeShift Lens Unveils Automated BTC Payments Using Altcoins

Instant cryptocurrency exchange service ShapeShift has launched a new service aimed specifically at simplifying payments across different currencies.
ShapeShift Lens allows Bitcoin payments to be sent using a range of altcoins, with the conversion handled automatically once payment has been submitted.
The result allows any Bitcoin invoice, including those from merchants such as Amazon or Overstock, to be paid, for example, in Dogecoin or Litecoin.
The free tool is currently available on Google Chrome Webstore, and features a plugin with which users may access the convertor. Once installed, the ShapeShift icon appears next to Bitcoin addresses on any webpage visited with the browser. Clicking activates the Lens, which takes altcoin payments, converts them to Bitcoin and sends them to the desired address.
ShapeShift Lens, in-line with its parent service, does not require an account for any of its features to be used.
Currently supported are Litecoin, Dogecoin and Peercoin, in addition to a selection of the most popular altcoins currently on the market. ShapeShift itself is also going live with support for Namecoin, Feathercoin and Blackcoin today.