The tech giant Google has created a new app called Android Pay to take over the existing Google Wallet app. For most people with a Android smart phone, purchasing a premium app or a service from Android Play is as simple as it was accessing your Google Wallet when prompted from the checkout. NFC stands for Near-Field Communication and is the technology that powers actions such as turning on a light when your phone is in range with it. Unfortunately, Android Pay is only available to U.S. users as of right now. Android Pay, however, goes beyond that, as it will also be a way to pay for app purchases as well, though that functionality is also still on the way.
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The basic requirements of Android Pay are a smartphone with NFC capabilities and should run Operating System KitKat 4.4 and later. If you are now using Google Wallet, this payment service will be replaced once you download Android Pay. More than one million stores in the United States are expected to accept Android Pay. It works similarly like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay in the sense of allowing users to make payments at point-of-sale using NFC technology on their mobile devices.
At launch, Android Pay already works with numerous major USA banks and credit cards, including American Express, Bank of America, Citi, Discover, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC, Regions Bank, USAA, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.
Mashable reports that the company is still planning to re-launch Google Wallet with exclusively for peer-to-peer payments.
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Rewards, loyalty, and gift cards are popular these days and you probably have a lot in your wallet. This last advantage comes from the fact that Google’s Android software isn’t tied to a particular manufacturer, making it available on a wide range of different phone hardwares, including HTC, Samsung, Nexus, and Motorola. No need to swipe the physical cards because Android Pay will know what to do. The good news is you won’t be asked to log in every single time you want to shop, but this of course makes the app more vulnerable to hackers or anyone who steals your phone.
