Google Wallet which was released on May 26, 2011, was Google’s main wireless payment method until today. Enter Android Pay. Google Wallet’s successor, which is “the simple and secure way to pay with your Android phone” will launch later this year alongside Android M. Android Pay brings together a unified ecosystem, bringing together mobile carriers, payment networks, banks, and retailers.
Android Pay will be available to pay in stores (listing below) by placing your Android device near the merchants contactless terminal.There is no need to open an app, it’s as easy as tap and go. It is all transferred wirelessly via NFC. Once a payment goes through, a notification will pop up and will give you a payment confirmation and all the transaction details.
One feature of Android Pay that is under appreciated, is the ability to connect to loyalty programs effortlessly through your smartphone. For select retailers, Android Pay will keep track of your rewards. For example, when you use tap and go at a Coke machine, it will automatically be applied to your MyCokeRewards.
With Android Pay you aren’t confined to just using it at brick in mortar stores, you can use Android Pay within applications as well. Once in checkout of select apps, all you need to do is select “Buy with Android Pay” and Google handles the rest. This is an excellent way to make sure your in-app purchases are secure and safe.
In order to make Android Pay secure, Google has partnered with American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and many others to keep your personal and financial details under wraps. They are setting the industry standard for tokenization and it will be ready when Android Pay launches later this year with Android M.
The full Android Pay compatiblitiy includes over 700,000 store locations and over 1,000 Android apps, and they will continually be adding more every day. Here are a list of the major ones.
