05/20, 8:28pm
Search engine partners with payment processors to aid transition
Today, Google made it known to its array of merchants that it is discontinuing the Google Checkout functionality, and migrating some existing users to Google Wallet. In a blog post announcing the move, Google called the Wallet product "a platform that enables merchants to meet the demands of a multi-screen world where consumers shop in-stores, at their desks and on their mobile devices." Users have six months to find an alternative solution, if not migrated automatically.
more
05/18, 1:32pm
Carrier confirms ISIS support via Twitter
T-Mobile customers wanting to use Google Wallet are out of luck, as the carrier confirmed this week that it's blocking the mobile payment solution. Instead, T-Mobile wants its customers to use ISIS, a carrier-backed standard that is currently only available in two metropolitan areas. The confirmation marks T-Mobile as just the latest of the major carriers to block Google's standard as they prepare to roll out their own.
more
05/10, 10:21am
Google Wallet Card could have acted as credit card proxy
Google is dropping its proposals to augment its Google Wallet payment system with a physical card, ahead of changes expected to be announced at Google I/O, according to reports. The news comes at the same time as the head of Google Wallet itself, Osama Bedier, will be leaving the company to pursue "other opportunities."
more
11/01, 8:23pm
Card would pair with app, take place of other cards
It would appear that Google is planning to augment its NFC-based Google Wallet payment system with a physical component in the coming weeks. Images have emerged online purporting to show off the new Google Wallet Card, which would be tied to a user's Google Wallet account and take the place of any credit cards a user also has attached to that account. The news comes amid rumors that Google was planning to update its Google Wallet app to include iPhone support, even though there are no iPhone or iOS device models that support NFC.
more
10/23, 10:50pm
Suit relates to location-sensitive shopper rewards
In the wake of the Google Wallet update announcement, Google has been sued in the Federal District Court of Delaware for allegedly violating a patent related to technology for "encouraging customer patronage by providing awards to customers." The patent was originally filed in September of 2005, and issued on November of 2007. The lawsuit plaintiff appears to be the inventor of the patent, Peter Sprogis, with no information filed with the patent about transfer or sale to another party.
more
10/22, 8:10pm
iPhone support would require major changes to the program
Google has deployed a new version of its website for Google Wallet, saying that the next version of mobile payment service is "coming soon." Visitors can request an invitation to the new service, and are presented with a device choice, either Android, other, or iPhone, suggesting Google is planning a departure from special hardware requirements on Android phones. The move may serve to enhance Google Wallet's acceptance in both the consumer base as well as merchants.
more
09/14, 9:54pm
Move to accept all credit, debit cards seen as main reason
Google Wallet has seen a 100-percent increase in use in the last few weeks. The company is putting the change in user numbers down to the recent revision of the app, with the addition of supporting all credit and debit cards available to customers, and an increase in locations across the US accepting NFC-based payments.
more
08/28, 11:15am
Product lead wants phones as 'primary transaction device'
Google plans to expand its payment system to store other cards usually kept in a wallet, according to the leader of the team developing the technology. At present, Google Wallet keeps track of payment details and loyalty cards, but the head of Google Wallet product management, Robin Dua, wants it to also hold airline boarding passes, ID cards, gift cards and concert tickets.
more
08/01, 4:45pm
NFC payment system moves to cloud-based storage
Google Wallet has received some major updates today. The mobile payments platform has opened up to accept all credit and debit cards from American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa, with financial data stored in the cloud instead of on the handset itself. Twenty five national US retailers have partnered with Google for the service, and through a partnership with MasterCard PayPass, mobile payments can be performed at over 200,000 retail locations across the country.
more
07/11, 11:46am
Update brings Google Wallet, boosts performance
Even though Google's Nexus 7 tablet hasn't shipped to customers yet, the device is receiving an upgrade to the newest version of Android, which has yet to be released itself. According to Android Central, Nexus 7 units handed out at this year's Google I/O have begun receiving an over-the-air update that improves performance and adds Google Wallet. It is as yet unclear whether purchased Nexus 7 units will ship with the update or receive it after shipping.
more
04/19, 7:00pm
Limited stock expected at retail on April 22
Pre-orders for Sprint's version of the Galaxy Nexus, begun on April 16, may have reflected very strong demand. Earlier Thursday, the pre-order page indicated that inventory had been sold out for those not willing to wait until the April 22 launch. The exact quantities Sprint will have aren't known and make it difficult to gauge actual interest.
more
04/17, 12:10pm
LG Optimus Elite ships to Sprint on April 22
Sprint on Tuesday confirmed some rumors and unveiled the LG Optimus Elite. The carrier's version of the Optimus Net, which will also have a Virgin Mobile equivalent, will be the most affordable US smartphone ever to support Google Wallet, costing just $30 on Sprint after a contract and rebate. Its support for the needed NFC is an exception to entry level specs, such as a 3.5-inch, 320x480 display, an 800MHz processor, and a five-megapixel back camera with none at the front.
more
04/02, 9:15pm
Square nabs latest Google veteran for mobile tech
Square landed a key addition to its ranks Monday after Rob von Behren confirmed through his LinkedIn profile and a conversation with NFC Times that he had left Google for the newcomer. He had co-created Google Wallet, but left the project in January and decided to switch companies after hearing of Square doing "great things" in mobile payments. Von Behren's exact purpose at Square wasn't going to be made public outside of his general position.
more
04/02, 8:50pm
Search giant continues Google Wallet push
Google has announced that it has moved to acquire TxVia, a company that specializes in mobile payment processing technology. In a statement, the search giant notes that the buyout will help the company "accelerate innovation towards our full Google Wallet vision," though the exact terms of the deal have yet to be publicly disclosed.
more
03/29, 11:10pm
LG Optimus Elite seen early in press renders
One of LG's entry-level Android phones should reach Sprint and Virgin Mobile with a small twist based on leaks late Thursday. Photos of the Optimus Elite, Sprint's adaptation of the Optimus Net, showed PocketNow the 3.2-inch phone adopting a more conventional but very compact look. Both versions would stand out by being some of the least expensive Android phones yet to have NFC and, through Sprint's involvement, official Google Wallet support.
more
03/21, 4:35pm
Google Wallet said struggling
Google may be looking to implement major changes to Google Wallet after getting little support, leaks might have disclosed on Wednesday. Having only ever earned support from Sprint, the search giant was said by Bloomberg to be looking at a revenue split to get AT&T or Verizon offering support. The proposal would give a cut of Google Offers coupons and other deals.
more
03/20, 11:35pm
Problems said to be resolved
Google has begun distributing $5 credits to Google Prepaid Card accounts, after the fledgling Google Wallet NFC payment service encountered several problems. In response to a security vulnerability, the company had temporarily barred users from creating new cards and blocked the ability to reset the system.
more
03/15, 6:35pm
Galaxy Nexus inches closer to Sprint arrival
An FCC filing from last week has shown that Sprint's Galaxy Nexus is getting close to release. Going under a very different codename of SPH-L700, instead of SGH-i9250 or similar for the original, the Android 4.0 phone's identity is given away by its combining 850MHz and 1,900MHz CDMA with the 1,900MHz LTE only Sprint will be using so far. The inclusion of NFC is the other giveaway that the device is a Nexus given how few Android phones have yet to carry the technology.
more
03/14, 4:55pm
PayPal demonstrates changes to Digital Wallet
As expected, PayPal has demonstrated its newly redesigned Digital Wallet service. Two videos outlining the thorough changes to the service are embedded below, made by the eBay Ink blog. The desktop interface sports a plethora of options of how user can user their money, pay for purchases, and even split it into different accounts, or "buckets" as PayPal VP of global product and experience Sam Sharuger reveals.
more
03/09, 8:05pm
Plans added services beyond traditional payments
In February, PayPal provided new details on how it planned to roll out its in-store payment services. The subsidiary of eBay plans to demonstrate at the SXSW conference in Austin how it hopes to distinguish its consumer-side digital wallet service from the competition, including Google Wallet and Isis. PayPal hopes to expand its attractiveness by offering more payment flexibility, generating wish lists, and providing greater account control.
more
03/08, 5:35pm
Google brings back Play and Wallet for some
Google has sorted out a pair of significant glitches with Android content on Thursday. A new version of the Google Play Store is being pushed out over the air to fix an issue that broke links for Motorola users. While the store had always remained in place, it forced users both to contend with broken links and hunt for the app separately.
more
03/05, 12:10pm
Google Wallet no longer supports rooted phones
Those with rooted Android handsets will no longer have the ability to use Google Wallet after an update that began rolling out this weekend. Droid-Life learned that a new yellow notification bar began appearing on rooted Android handsets with the Google Wallet app loaded onto them, informing the device is no longer supported. A link to a web page explains that the app won't work because the handset's security has been compromised due to the presence of "unauthorized" software.
more
03/05, 10:45am
Isis partners with payment hardware makers
Isis, which is due to kick off this summer, has now secured cash register and payment hardware makers VeriFone, Ingenico, ViVOtech, and Equinox Payments as partners. They have vowed to integrate the Isis Mobile Commerce Application wireless payments technology into their future products. Isis will use NFC technology for payments, digital couponing, location-based social media offers, and more. It's a competitor for Google's Wallet offering.
more
03/01, 11:30pm
Target and Walmart join pact on NFC payment
Target and Walmart have joined in the development of yet another mobile payment system, insides gave out on Thursday. The two were said by Wall Street Journal's contacts to now be part of a group with about 24 member store chains hoping to create a standard that, though not directly named, would use NFC. Consulting firm BetterBuyDesign's Steve Mott corroborated the plan by revealing its involvement in the project, with word that big chains as well as drugstores, fast food restaurants, and vending machine firms were involved.
more
03/01, 5:35pm
Expands tap-and-pay support to additional devices
Sprint will be adding to the number of its devices supporting Google Wallet. The wireless carrier used a panel discussion at the Mobile World Congress to reveal that it will offer support for the NFC-based mobile payment app on at least ten more smartphones or tablets during the course of 2012. Sprint currently has made the mobile payment system available on the Nexus S 4G and will support it on their soon to be released version of the Galaxy Nexus.
more
02/27, 5:25pm
Chase, Capital One, Barclaycard first companies
Isis, the mobile commerce venture between AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have finalized their wireless payment standard for mobile devices, calling it Isis Mobile Wallet. It's due to launch this summer, with Chase, Capital One, and Barclaycard being the first banks to sign up and have their credit, debit, and prepaid cards be compatible with the system. The first merchants to support the system will be located in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas. Like Google Wallet, its major competitor, Isis Mobile Wallet let users securely pay for goods and merchandise with their handsets.
more
02/15, 11:35am
Google fixes prepaid card Wallet doubling issue
Google revealed that its has restored the ability to issue new prepaid cards to its Google Wallet as of Monday afternoon. The service was put on hold on Saturday as a problem allowed users to re-provision an existing prepaid card to another user. This issue has also reportedly been addressed, and Google said it hasn't recorded any known abuse of the flaw.
more
02/11, 10:35pm
Google Wallet prepaid cards go down for now
Google quickly reacted to mounting Google Wallet security issues by putting a temporary freeze on new prepaid cards. While at least some existing users could keep paying with theirs, Google was preventing new uses as a "precaution" before it could get a surefire fix, Wallet VP Osama Bedier said in a post Saturday. He nonetheless insisted that Google Wallet had multiple security layers, ranging from its own PIN code requirement to an auto-wipe of local Wallet data if the phone is rooted after the Android app is installed.
more
02/09, 6:40pm
Bug allows users to create new PIN
Yet another Google Wallet vulnerability has been spotted, just one day after security researchers published details of a similar issue that only affects rooted devices. The latest vulnerability is claimed to affect all Android devices, however, including those running stock software.
more
02/08, 10:25pm
Google working quickly to fix bug
Researchers at security firm Zvelo have released details surrounding a Google Wallet vulnerability that is claimed to leave a user's PIN data exposed. Engineers were reportedly able to develop a crack that quickly determines a user's four-digit PIN, which serves as an essential security layer to prevent the NFC system from transmitting card data without authorization.
more
02/02, 8:00pm
App no longer invisible on Android Market
The GSM version of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus appears to have added official support for Google's Wallet app, which now appears in the Android Market for AT&T subscribers. Early buyers were able to run the NFC payment app, however the title was invisible when attempting to search for it in the Android Market directly from the phone.
more
01/29, 5:30am
Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Sprint takes signups
Google has posted a signup page for the Sprint version of the Galaxy Nexus. Potential early adopters can get information about when the Android 4.0 phone hits the carrier and also might get news of "Nexus products, services, and features." Those who put in a ZIP code can get locations for shops when orders start.
more
01/14, 7:55pm
Sprint to move phones wholesale to 4G and NFC
Sprint in commentary during CES confrimed that it was dropping WiMAX on smartphones. The initial LTE smartphones were ultimately representing a full-scale switch to the technology for 4G phones, PCMag was told. The carrier was being more aggressive than it had suggested before and, when promising LTE in mid-year, had meant between January and June, Owens explained.
more
01/09, 4:50pm
Sprint unveils first LTE devices
Sprint on Monday ended some rumors and detailed its first three LTE devices. At the front is its own version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The Android 4.0 flagship will be identical to the Verizon model but will be the only version so far to be officially blessed with Google Wallet support, letting it use its NFC to pay at MasterCard's PayPass readers in the US.
more
01/09, 1:50pm
Launch timing and prices remain unclear
Sprint has finally posted its Galaxy Nexus page and confirmed launch plans for LG's viper handset, following an advertisement campaign that appeared to launch ahead of schedule. The Nexus teaser does not offer many surprises, aside from a detail pointing to support for the Google Wallet NFC payment system.
more
12/18, 1:20pm
Google Wallet gets unofficial, easy-load APK
Following a set of hacked installs, explorers have posted a much easier unofficial install of Google Wallet for the Galaxy Nexus. The new version on the XDA-Developers forums is a standard APK that loads much like any non-Market app. Its only current software need is Android 4.0.2.
more
12/16, 6:25pm
Owners even get $10 bonus from Google for using it
Although Verizon only released the much anticipated
Samsung Galaxy Nexus earlier this week, enthusiasts already have posted hacks to expand the Android 4.0 smartphone's functionality. One such effort has leveraged the phone's inbuilt NFC capabilities and created a ROM which supports Android Market), users can load in a version where Google Wallet is already set. It works at the same PayPass areas as the Nexus S and otherwise runs as well as it would otherwise.
more
12/13, 2:15pm
Flurry shows Android dev ratio still low
Despite increases in device share, iOS app development is still three times larger, Flurry said Monday. New app starts on Android had actually declined in ratio from the start of 2011 to the end, shrinking from 37 percent to 27 percent in a fall estimate. iOS development had grown by an equal number of points and was now up to 73 of starts.
more
12/13, 1:20pm
Google Wallet credit card data too accessible
Research firm ViaForensics has performed a study on a rooted smartphone with Google Wallet preloaded and concluded that the software doesn't encrypt sensitive payment card information. This includes the last four digits of a credit card number, balance, credit limit, expiration date, transactions and other sensitive information. The data is unencrypted and stored in SQLite databases.
more
12/09, 10:30am
Google Wallet rumored spreading to Britain
Google Wallet might leave the US for the first time based on the claims of French paper Les Echos. A trial run of the NFC-based wireless payment system would reportedly start up in early 2012 with the anticipation of having it ready for the summer Olympics, which start in London on July 27. Banks, distributors, and stores were supposedly in talks.
more
12/06, 2:30pm
Verizon says Wallet block is security
Verizon on Tuesday denied blocking Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus. Spokesman Jeffrey Nelson claimed that the nature of the NFC-based payment system wasn't just top-level and had to be integrated into a "new, secure and proprietary hardware element" to work properly. He was adamant that, despite the app not being on the device or in Android Market, it wasn't a case of Verizon trying to censor apps.
more
12/05, 11:15pm
Verizon may bar Google competition with Isis NFC
Verizon was accused Monday of deliberately blocking Google Wallet on its version of the Galaxy Nexus. Although the new Nexus has the needed NFC chip and is stock Android, 9to5 had heard that Wallet was being screened from Android Market. The objective would supposedly be to block a competitor to the upcoming multi-carrier Isis payment system due next year.
more
11/28, 6:20pm
NFC-service available as Verizon preps to ship
When Verizon first ships the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus next month, the Android 4.0-based smartphone is not going to support Google Wallet, at least officially. The Android community is not waiting. Developers at MoDaCo already have posted a hack to offer this functionality.
more
11/16, 10:40pm
Google Checkout merges with Wallet
In a lower-key move next to its Google Music store launch, Google said it was rolling Google Checkout into Google Wallet. The switch makes the system that handles NFC-based mobile payments the same that handles regular web sales. Android Market, Google+ games, and YouTube movie rentals will all use Wallet, while a Wallet sign-in will work at any third-party store that takes either the new format or Checkout.
more
10/26, 9:15am
BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Curve 9360 OK for PayPass
RIM had the distinction of providing the first phones to use a SIM card that support MasterCard's NFC-based PayPass tech for short-range wireless payments. Both the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the Curve 9360 can, with the right apps, pay at a store just by tapping a receiver. The account will be attached to the SIM card, not the phone, and let users swap phones with the same account, although it may create issues with switching carriers.
more
10/19, 3:40pm
Tapping now allowed at 2 stations and on bus lines
Google has teamed up with the NJ Transit to let its riders pay for fares using Google Wallet and NFC "tap to pay" technology. At launch, the service will be available at two stations and on a few bus lines. Also initially, riders will only be able to pay with Citigroup MasterCard, as well as Google's own prepaid virtual card.
more
10/17, 4:10pm
Google Wallet mixes buying and discounts
Google updated Google Wallet to add a fresh feature for the US and rework the interface. SingleTap lets users with a Wallet-equipped phone like the Nexus S 4G both buy something using NFC but take advantage of any discounts or rewards at the same time, instead of having to handle them one at a time. A Featured Offers addition helps by showing a Groupon-style daily deal list where users can tag them to take advantage when they check out.
more
10/03, 2:45pm
Google Nexus S gets Google Wallet thanks to hack
Enterprising members of the XDA Developers forum have found a new hack to bring Google Wallet functionality to the original Nexus S smartphone. User Venumx got the credit for the hack, though it was shared by got2best. Officially, Google Wallet only works on the Nexus S 4G smartphone for Sprint.
more
09/22, 11:45am
Facebook Places to get NFC compatibility
Last-minute leak has Facebook Places using NFC on phones
Facebook's annual developer conference known as f8 is scheduled for today, with the latest news of what's going to happen at the event coming courtesy of GigaOM. The source believes Facebook will make an announcement regarding NFC technology, with the social network's Places feature getting the capability. Hardware maker partners are expected to be named here as well.
more
09/19, 4:45pm
Google Wallet now live with more cards, one phone
As hinted earlier, Google Wallet on Monday went active for real users. The service in starting off will still work on just Citi MasterCards and the virtual Google Prepaid Card, but is now opening to rival cards. American Express, Discover, and Visa are all making their NFC specs available to let banks add the cards to the mobile payment system.
more
