Google announces Google Pay Wallet in this year

Google announces ‘Google Pay,’ a merge of Android Pay and Google Wallet

In the past, Google has shied away from making any announcements during CES. But this year, Google Assistant and Google Pay are making headlines. The merge is official and taking place now, combining the likes of Android Pay and Google Wallet into one service under the name Google Pay. The new single brand will also comprise one’s payment info stored in Chrome as well as payment info used to pay for items on Google’s Play Store. This should be a good change and the move makes all the sense in the world, since there was never really a purpose for having two separate apps in the first place.

We’re expecting a new Google Pay app to take place of the current Android Pay and Google Wallet apps. Though unconfirmed, this would be the best way to combine everything into one payment hub, similar to what we have for Google’s Home app, which combines Chromecast, Android TV and Google speakers into one. The Google Pay rollout across stores, apps, and products is happening now and will continue “over the coming weeks.

With the new system, payment information saved in your Google account will be available everywhere you use Google products: in Chrome for web purchases, in YouTube for renewing your subscriptions, in apps on Android for in-app purchases, and at retail outlets with NFC payments.

According to Google, apps like Airbnb, Dice, Fandango, HungryHouse, and Instacart already support Google Pay, with more sites and stores set roll out soon over the coming weeks.

Pali Bhat, VP of Product Management, Payments at Google, said:

''With Google Pay, it’ll be easier for you to use the payment information saved to your Google Account, so you can speed through checkout with peace of mind. Over the coming weeks, you’ll see Google Pay online, in store, and across Google products, as well as when you’re paying friends.”

Google has been working with some third parties in anticipation for its announcement. It says that the new payment service is already available on Airbnb, Dice, Fandango, HungryHouse, Instacart, and other apps and website. It’s currently running some promotional offers in the U.S. with B&H, Fandango, and Instacart. As mentioned earlier, Google topped off the post with a rather cryptic message stating that the brand reform is just the first step and that it can’t wait to share more; what “more” constitutes right now is anyone’s guess, we’ll just have to see. As an addendum, Google asks users to stay tuned as it "will also be bringing these experiences to Tez users in India."