Google is preparing to ask you to leave your physical wallet at home. They are not trying to take your money. Instead, they want you to switch your leather wallet to a digital version called Google Wallet.
This app stays on your phone. Keep a virtual copy of the items you normally carry with you. Credit cards. Bank details. Gift cards. coupon. Loyalty points. Event tickets and boarding passes can also be found here. Data may remain on your device. Or might float in the clouds. You can use it in brick-and-mortar stores. Available online. The promise is simple. No more bulging pockets.
In fact, you probably won’t part with your actual wallet just yet. But the pieces are falling into place.
How NFC enables contactless payments
The whole concept is based on two things: a smartphone and Near Field Communication (NFC ). This short-range wireless technology gives mobile phones new superpowers.
You can pay for things. parking meter. pet food. sandwich. All this.
Look for stores with an NFC checkout system. Tap your phone near the device. Enter your PIN code. That’s it! There are no paper receipts. The store will send an electronic copy to your email.
It’s fast. It is clean.
What devices and carriers does it support?
You need this app. Download Google Wallet to your smartphone or tablet.
Support is currently limited. As of mid-2013, only a small number of Android devices are equipped with NFC chips. Experts predict that by 2014, half of all smartphones will have NFC. Forrester Research predicts that by 2016, more than a quarter of US cell phones will be equipped with this technology.
But having the phone is not enough. Your operator must enable NFC in your digital wallet. Most carriers are dragging their feet.
As of June 2013, only a few providers have worked with Google Wallet. Sprint. Virgin Mobile. US Cellular. Metro PCS. These phones are manufactured by Samsung. LG. HTC.
The Google Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets also support NFC.
Even if your operator is doesn’t play nice, you can still register online. Use for fast online payment. Save for later non-NFC use.
Where can I use Google Wallet?
Configure your application. Add your cards. Gift cards. Loyalty cards. Choose a payment source.
Then you need you need a store with an NFC reader. Google saw this coming. They didn’t build their own terminal. Compatible with Mastercard PayPass.
PayPass has 200,000 locations in the United States. There are many terminals.
The big chains are involved. Walgreens. Subway. Jamba Juice. Macy’s. Foot Locker. Old Navy. American Eagle Outfitters. CVS. Radio Shack.
They already have readers. Or soon it will be.
Quick payments are only part of it. The rest are even bigger.
