It’s an idea that’s been floating around for some time now, and it seems like the next logical step for Google. Not content with pioneering the next big social network, revolutionising internet marketing and sprouting a huge number of side-projects and innovations, the company has now launched an online payment system for smartphones (most notably as an app for their patented Android platform), which they’ve unabashedly described as the ‘future of commerce’.
The app takes advantage of the latest near-field communications (NFC) technology. All owners of a Samsung Nexus S were able to start using their Google Wallet from yesterday – Google are eventually looking to roll out the technology for use with all major smartphones for 2012. But how does it actually work?
Basically, by introducing this technology, Google will allow you to pay for virtually any goods and services simply by tapping your smartphone against a PayPass terminal at any retailer. All the information will be stored within a NFC chip or sticker within your phone and you’ll be able to sync every single one of your debit and credit cards with your Google Wallet application. This in turn will allow for swift, hassle-free payments and will eliminate the need for you to carry any plastic around whatsoever. At the moment only Citi® Mastercard®s are covered by the application. If you bank with another provider, you’ll have to set up a Google Prepaid Card and top it up as necessary. But if you’re feeling out of the loop, don’t fret – Google are currently in discussions with Visa to acquire their customers’ payment access data, which means that the service could be available to Visa cardholders in a matter of months.
Best of all, the team at Google is looking to integrate loyalty schemes via their new Google Offers platform, which will allow greater communication and interaction between retailers and their regular customers. Google wants to provide businesses with the opportunity to essentially track their customers and offer promotions and deals based on their location or their shopping habits. Many individuals could interpret this as another unwelcome addition to the ‘big brother’ stance of companies like Google, whereas others will appreciate yet another opportunity to be sold to. Either way, this initiative could be where the money lies, as there are a number of companies who are threatening to rival the idea with similar ‘digital wallets’, including American Express and various other major credit card providers.
No doubt there’ll be plenty of corporations jumping on this particular bandwagon in the months ahead and the market looks likely to become very saturated very quickly. No-one’s quite sure which application is going to prove to be most popular (or most trustworthy!) but consumers will certainly appreciate the convenience of the technology and the choice that will soon be on offer. Despite the excitement surrounding the Google Wallet, tech-heads need to bear in mind that it’s going to take a little while for the system to fall into place. The service was launched exclusively in the US yesterday and will only be available at a select number of retailers (although this ‘select’ list does include massive outlets such as Subway and Bloomingdales).
This post was written by Lewis from SEO Positive. Follow his blog or Twitter
