Google Wallet is a mobile payment system developed by Google that allows its users to store debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, and gift cards among other things, as well as redeeming sales promotions on their mobile phone. Google Wallet uses near field communication (NFC) to “make secure payments fast and convenient by simply tapping the phone on any PayPass-enabled terminal at checkout.” Google demonstrated the app at a press conference on May 26, 2011. The app was released on September 19, 2011.
Google has updated its Google Wallet app for Android and iOS with new features, including gift cards, requesting money, sending money, and Spanish support. You can download the new version now directly from Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
First off, in addition to support for loyalty cards and offers, the app now lets you manage your gift cards and redeem them in stores. Adding cards to Google Wallet is as simple as snapping a picture of them or typing in the card info (gift cards received electronically can be saved by tapping “Save to Google”), and using them merely requires showing your phone to the cashier at checkout.
