Google launches Google Wallet service weeks ahead of iPhone 5 refresh
While some reports have suggested Apple could introduce support for NFC-based payments in a new iPhone model as early as this fall, rival Google on Monday launched its own NFC solution conceived initially for Sprint Android smartphones.
What is an NFC e-wallet?
NFC, or near field communication, is a wireless communication technology that operates over short distances and allows certain devices to interact with each other when being placed in close proximity ? from a few centimeters to a few meters.
A secure application stores credit card information so that a chip in the NFC-enabled smartphone can connect the device to an NFC reader in a store to complete a wireless and rapid exchange of payment information. The technology allows compatible smartphones to function as an efficient e-wallet simply by waving the phone over the reader to pay for a product or service.
Google Wallet
Google Wallet was first announced and demoed in May during the company?s Google I/O event and is initially available to Sprint Nexus S 4G users through an over-the-air firmware update.
The Mountain View, Calif., company is working with Citi and Mastercard to help Android smartphone owners use their device as a payment method at stores that support the new technology. In addition to Citi Mastercard credit cards, customers will be able to use a Google Prepaid Card to pay for their purchases. Early adopters of the service will be awarded a $10 bonus after setting up a Google Prepaid Card in the Google Wallet application.
Google said it plans to further expand payment choices in the near future as Visa, Discover and American Express ?have made available their NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.?
Apple NFC plans and the iPhone
The launch of Google Wallet comes just weeks before Apple is expected to introduce its next-gen iPhone. Reports have suggested Apple could, as soon as next month, announce two distinct iPhone models: a cheaper iPhone 4S model, expected to be based on the current iPhone 4 design, and an all-new iPhone 5.
The latter model has been rumored on more than one occasion to make use of a NFC chip that would allow customers to use it as a virtual wallet. An earlier report claimed that Qualcomm would supply Apple with NFC chips for a future iPhone without specifying whether this year's iPhone 5 would include parts.
Apple?s interest in NFC technology and e-payment systems has been evidenced by several patent applications, job postings and even claims made by Deutsche Telekom execs.
Most recently, a New York Times report from last week on the imminent launch of the fifth-generation iPhone reiterated claims related to Apple?s own e-wallet plans.
?When Apple does introduce a mobile-payment-ready iPhone, the company will immediately have an advantage over its competitors, including Google and Microsoft, which are trying to push payments on mobile devices too,? author Nick Bilton wrote, though he was unsure whether the technology would arrive in the fifth- or sixth-generation iPhone.
?One person familiar with Apple?s plans said the phone?s payment information would be tied to customers? iTunes accounts, which would make it simple for customers to set up a payment account on the iPhone by simply logging into iTunes," he added.
What is an NFC e-wallet?
NFC, or near field communication, is a wireless communication technology that operates over short distances and allows certain devices to interact with each other when being placed in close proximity ? from a few centimeters to a few meters.
A secure application stores credit card information so that a chip in the NFC-enabled smartphone can connect the device to an NFC reader in a store to complete a wireless and rapid exchange of payment information. The technology allows compatible smartphones to function as an efficient e-wallet simply by waving the phone over the reader to pay for a product or service.
Google Wallet
Google Wallet was first announced and demoed in May during the company?s Google I/O event and is initially available to Sprint Nexus S 4G users through an over-the-air firmware update.
The Mountain View, Calif., company is working with Citi and Mastercard to help Android smartphone owners use their device as a payment method at stores that support the new technology. In addition to Citi Mastercard credit cards, customers will be able to use a Google Prepaid Card to pay for their purchases. Early adopters of the service will be awarded a $10 bonus after setting up a Google Prepaid Card in the Google Wallet application.
Google said it plans to further expand payment choices in the near future as Visa, Discover and American Express ?have made available their NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.?
Apple NFC plans and the iPhone
The launch of Google Wallet comes just weeks before Apple is expected to introduce its next-gen iPhone. Reports have suggested Apple could, as soon as next month, announce two distinct iPhone models: a cheaper iPhone 4S model, expected to be based on the current iPhone 4 design, and an all-new iPhone 5.
The latter model has been rumored on more than one occasion to make use of a NFC chip that would allow customers to use it as a virtual wallet. An earlier report claimed that Qualcomm would supply Apple with NFC chips for a future iPhone without specifying whether this year's iPhone 5 would include parts.
Apple?s interest in NFC technology and e-payment systems has been evidenced by several patent applications, job postings and even claims made by Deutsche Telekom execs.
Most recently, a New York Times report from last week on the imminent launch of the fifth-generation iPhone reiterated claims related to Apple?s own e-wallet plans.
?When Apple does introduce a mobile-payment-ready iPhone, the company will immediately have an advantage over its competitors, including Google and Microsoft, which are trying to push payments on mobile devices too,? author Nick Bilton wrote, though he was unsure whether the technology would arrive in the fifth- or sixth-generation iPhone.
?One person familiar with Apple?s plans said the phone?s payment information would be tied to customers? iTunes accounts, which would make it simple for customers to set up a payment account on the iPhone by simply logging into iTunes," he added.
Comments
I just can't see the word "Wallet" anywhere near "Android".
It's "Google Wallet", not "Android Wallet". Pretty sure there'll be an iOS app from Google as well.
This seems to be the most innovative solution to me. Maybe I'm missing something.
Why on earth would you need to still go through a checkout line? Why not scan (and pay for) each item as you put it into your cart? If someone wants to really bring the future closer, they will find a way that will allow us to pay for each item as we pick it up and put it into our cart, eliminating the need to go through and wait in checkout lines altogether. Doesn't this make sense? Or am I missing something here (do some of you actually like looking for the shortest line, and then still standing there and waiting to pay?)?
This seems to be the most innovative solution to me. Maybe I'm missing something.
I can see wallet paving the way for that. Considering phones nowadays can scan barcodes.
Nice headline to tie the iPhone in there somehow
While Google Wallet made the rounds on all the techblogs today... not many people know about it or care.
When the new iPhone is announced... it will be all over the nightly news and cause a total media frenzy!
Why on earth would you need to still go through a checkout line? Why not scan (and pay for) each item as you put it into your cart? If someone wants to really bring the future closer, they will find a way that will allow us to pay for each item as we pick it up and put it into our cart, eliminating the need to go through and wait in checkout lines altogether. Doesn't this make sense? Or am I missing something here (do some of you actually like looking for the shortest line, and then still standing there and waiting to pay?)?
This seems to be the most innovative solution to me. Maybe I'm missing something.
What if you put an item in your cart only to think about purchasing it? I don't know how many times my wife has put items in her cart only to return them to the store shelves before checking out, whether it's because she changed her mind or found a better deal on a similar item.
I can see having a check point where once you push the cart past a point, all the items are billed to your account, but not just as you put them in your cart. If you are instantly billed, but then have to wait on a refund, one trip to the store with an indecisive person could tie up your bank account for weeks waiting on refunds!
What if you put an item in your cart only to think about purchasing it? I don't know how many times my wife has put items in her cart only to return them to the store shelves before checking out, whether it's because she changed her mind or found a better deal on a similar item.
I can see having a check point where once you push the cart past a point, all the items are billed to your account, but not just as you put them in your cart. If you are instantly billed, but then have to wait on a refund, one trip to the store with an indecisive person could tie up your bank account for weeks waiting on refunds!
As I am describing it, you still would have to manually scan each item to pay for it. You would not be billed for simply putting something in your cart.
As I am describing it, you still would have to manually scan each item to pay for it. You would not be billed for simply putting something in your cart.
If you're not billed by putting it in your cart, couldn't you leave without paying for some items?
...weeks ahead of iPhone 5 refresh
Here we have more "evidence" that Apple might possibly be releasing a new iPhone model, perhaps as soon as weeks from now.
Its been in the UK for a while now. Its called "Contact-less Payment" over here and its only available with cards issued by Barclays. A hand full of handsets on the Orange network support it too but thats about it.
So when is America getting Chip and Pin?
It's "Google Wallet", not "Android Wallet". Pretty sure there'll be an iOS app from Google as well.
I guess this is for all those people who think that Google doesn't have enough of their personal information already.....
If you're not billed by putting it in your cart, couldn't you leave without paying for some items?
There would need to be some kind of security measure where once that bar code is scanned (and/or maybe a serial number or something similar), it would disable and allow you to leave the store with said item. If not scanned, the security measure is still active and should warn you once you pass a certain checkpoint in the store that it hasn't yet been paid for.
There would need to be some kind of security measure where once that bar code is scanned (and/or maybe a serial number or something similar), it would disable and allow you to leave the store with said item. If not scanned, the security measure is still active and should warn you once you pass a certain checkpoint in the store that it hasn't yet been paid for.
That is not how these systems work. You goto the checkout at the supermarket and then place your phone or contacts card over the correctly equipped card reader, rather than inserting it (for chip and pin) or swiping it (for mag strip cards).
If google do actually use a "scan per barcode" system then... really, sense? where? can I have some sense?
It's "Google Wallet", not "Android Wallet". Pretty sure there'll be an iOS app from Google as well.
I know, I know. Still, Google releasing an obviously paid service, it's shocking...
As I am describing it, you still would have to manually scan each item to pay for it. You would not be billed for simply putting something in your cart.
There's some American systems where you carry around a small terminal to scan your own basket, but only pay at the end. It would be nice if we could use our own phones for that purpose.
Often these are linked to your identity in case you're substituting cheaper items! And they can compare the weight of the shopping bags with the average weight of the products you were supposed to have scanned.
So when is America getting Chip and Pin?
Don't bring up that one...... embarrassing, really.