NFC-free Google Wallet debuts on Apple's iPhone
Google on Thursday released its Wallet transaction service for Apple's iPhone, giving users the ability to transfer money and store loyalty cards on their smartphone.
The debut of Google Wallet comes as the search giant has switched it service away from reliance on near-field communications for its services. Previously, Google Wallet was only available on select NFC-capable Android smartphones, and was used for contact-less payment.
Apple has not embraced NFC technology, and instead has turned to Bluetooth Low Energy for short-range secure wireless connectivity. For example, the new AirDrop feature in iOS 7 uses Bluetooth to scan for nearby devices, before automatically switching to Wi-Fi for a faster file transfer.
Google Wallet was updated for devices running Android 2.3 or later earlier this week, granting functionality to all handsets whether or not they feature NFC connectivity. To date, adoption of Google Wallet has been low, partially because of the lack of NFC-capable payment kiosks, but also because U.S. carriers have banned Google's payment service in favor of their own forthcoming offering, dubbed ISIS.
The new Google Wallet for both iOS and all Android devices gives users the ability to transfer money to another user's email address, similar to PayPal. Money transfers through Google Wallet are free, and can also be sent through Gmail.
In addition to credit and debit cards, Google Wallet for iOS also allows users to store loyalty programs. Offers at specific stores can be redeemed through the application.
Google Wallet also has PIN security, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and "Purchase Protection." If a user's iPhone is lost or stolen, the Google Wallet application can be disabled online.
The new application is an 8.6-megabyte download that requires iOS 6.0 or later. It's compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and is optimized for the 4-inch display on the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s.
The debut of Google Wallet comes as the search giant has switched it service away from reliance on near-field communications for its services. Previously, Google Wallet was only available on select NFC-capable Android smartphones, and was used for contact-less payment.
Apple has not embraced NFC technology, and instead has turned to Bluetooth Low Energy for short-range secure wireless connectivity. For example, the new AirDrop feature in iOS 7 uses Bluetooth to scan for nearby devices, before automatically switching to Wi-Fi for a faster file transfer.
Google Wallet was updated for devices running Android 2.3 or later earlier this week, granting functionality to all handsets whether or not they feature NFC connectivity. To date, adoption of Google Wallet has been low, partially because of the lack of NFC-capable payment kiosks, but also because U.S. carriers have banned Google's payment service in favor of their own forthcoming offering, dubbed ISIS.
The new Google Wallet for both iOS and all Android devices gives users the ability to transfer money to another user's email address, similar to PayPal. Money transfers through Google Wallet are free, and can also be sent through Gmail.
In addition to credit and debit cards, Google Wallet for iOS also allows users to store loyalty programs. Offers at specific stores can be redeemed through the application.
Google Wallet also has PIN security, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and "Purchase Protection." If a user's iPhone is lost or stolen, the Google Wallet application can be disabled online.
The new application is an 8.6-megabyte download that requires iOS 6.0 or later. It's compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and is optimized for the 4-inch display on the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s.
Comments
Why I should use this instead of passbook ?
Pretty different use case. Not sure it's a particularly good one, but there's definitely stuff you can do with Google Wallet that you can't do with Passbook (and vice versa). It's more like PayPal.
Seems like a digital Western Union.
This can compete with Passbook on many levels, but only until Apple adds Touch ID to payment systems. At that moment, Apple will take a huge leap forward, and Googles Wallet won´t be able to follow. That is unless Apple opens the TouchID to developers through SDK.
If I was Mastercard or VISA, I would be very worried right about now - as two giants are about to crash head-on into their market.
This can compete with Passbook on many levels, but only until Apple adds Touch ID to payment systems. At that moment, Apple will take a huge leap forward, and Googles Wallet won´t be able to follow. That is unless Apple opens the TouchID to developers through SDK.
If I was Mastercard or VISA, I would be very worried right about now - as two giants are about to crash head-on into their market.
How does this make a difference? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you still have to go through the payment processor to make a payment and it still has to come out of some account? Even if you don't have the funds transfer from a credit card account, most debit cards are Mastercard or VISA branded and they collect transaction fees, which are actually higher on debits than they are on charges.
It's like all those devices you can attach to your smartphone to accept credit card payments. All those go through a processor for which you pay fees.
having an issue downloading it
Because that's your 2nd post!
How does this make a difference? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you still have to go through the payment processor to make a payment and it still has to come out of some account? Even if you don't have the funds transfer from a credit card account, most debit cards are Mastercard or VISA branded and they collect transaction fees, which are actually higher on debits than they are on charges.
If it's like PayPal, which others seem to be likening it to, then you don't have to have a Visa / Mastercharge. All you need is a bank account. PayPal just negotiates a EBT on your behalf.
Why don't the banks just put a scanner in their apps? Then we can just scan with their app or with passbook too. C'mon Chase.
Why? You're still using your credit card.
To date, adoption of Google Wallet has been low, partially because of the lack of NFC-capable payment kiosks, but also because U.S. carriers have banned Google's payment service in favor of their own forthcoming offering, dubbed ISIS.
Peet's Coffee and Teas has had a Google Wallet sticker near their cash registers for years.
I have never seen anybody use Google Wallet to buy anything in any Peet's store.
And I guess I never will, now that there's ISIS. Good.
The new Google Wallet for both iOS and all Android devices gives users the ability to transfer money to another user's email address, similar to PayPal. Money transfers through Google Wallet are free, and can also be sent through Gmail.
Falling back to an ancient technology that they know everybody uses. Email. LOL.
And speaking of PayPal, are they looking into some kind of iWallet app or integration?
Google Wallet also has PIN security, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and "Purchase Protection." If a user's iPhone is lost or stolen, the Google Wallet application can be disabled online.
Google will need to ramp up their fraud monitoring staff. Tons and tons of malware on Google Play.
Maybe that's the real reasons the carriers are backing their own ISIS payment service.
Because you simply can't trust apps on Google Play. And because Google doesn't care about malware.
How does this make a difference? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you still have to go through the payment processor to make a payment and it still has to come out of some account? Even if you don't have the funds transfer from a credit card account, most debit cards are Mastercard or VISA branded and they collect transaction fees, which are actually higher on debits than they are on charges.
In almost all cases (in every case I have seen as a merchant), transaction charges for debit cards done with a signature are much lower than credit cards done the same way. PIN debit transactions are usually even lower.
For a company I am now consulting with, their recent quote for debit signature transactions was .7% lower than the cheapest tier of credit card transactions. For my own company, the difference is about .5% (due to my business, the rates I have are lower than this company I am consulting with).
The main reason for this is that debit transactions are guaranteed funds, not a loan.
Not really sure I'd want Google to have a record of every purchase/transaction I make. But that's just me.
Quote:
In addition to credit and debit cards, Google Wallet for iOS also allows users to store loyalty programs. Offers at specific stores can be redeemed through the application.
Passbook in iOS 7 already has this. Right down to being able to scan bar codes from my keychain of existing points/reward cards (Best Buy Reward Zone, grocery store "gas points" cards, etc.) that I used to have to carry around.
Originally Posted by chadbag
PIN debit transactions are usually even lower.
PIN debit transactions give you almost no protection against fraudulent use, correct? If so, they should be cheaper.
hey, when the canucks lost the cup a couple years ago we slipped alanis morissette back under the border as a consolation prize ... don't get greedy.