Google is simplifying the way it presents its different payments tools to consumers, combining them under a new brand called Google Pay. The company had made the announcement back in January that this service was actually on its way. The new app is now available to download for Android users, which means its time to say goodbye to Android Pay and Google Wallet.
Google Pay – The new payment tool from Google
At first glance, the new Google Pay app is basically a redesign of Android Pay. The new payment app is sorted into two halves: a “Home” tab, and a “Cards” tab. The Home tab lists all of your recent payment activities. It also shows nearby stores, where you can pay with Google Pay. It also house a personalized list of offers, based on previous stores where you used the service, and your location. The Cards tab, as the name suggests, is the place where you store your credit, debit, reward, and gift cards.
As is the case with any other mobile payment tool, Google Pay also has an extra layer of security compared to using a credit or debit card directly. The actual card details are never shared when you pay through Google Pay. Furthermore, the app itself comes with strong security protections to safeguard your account and personal data from security threats.
Google Pay Send
Along with the Google Pay, the company also launched Google Pay Send, a redesign of the Google Wallet app for sending and requesting money. Google promises to integrate the service within the Google Pay in the next few months, however only for the users in the US and the UK.
More to come
“Google Pay is just one part of everything we’ve got planned,” says Google in its blog announcing the new app. The company promises to bring the service to all Google products, including Chrome and Assistant. You’ll be able to use cards and payment information stored in Google Pay across a wide variety of apps and websites when using an Android device or Chrome.
Google Pay currently works for transit in cities including Kiev, London, and Portland, with more cities promised to come soon. This, however, depends a lot on where you live and what your city’s public transit looks like. But having said that, the mobile payments industry is a huge revenue stream and Google wants to make sure that it doesn’t languish behind other big names like Samsung Pay and Apple Pay. Even WhatsApp has taken a plunge into the field, with the company rolling out beta tests in India.
For Google Pay, new users can download the Google Pay app from the Play Store today. Existing Android Pay users will get an update for the app over the course of the next few days.
