Apple Pay may be leaving Google Wallet in the dust when it comes to adoption, but Google hasn’t given up yet. It’s just updated its iOS app to support Touch ID, add optimization for the iPhone 6/Plus and enable you to split bills between friends …
Don’t be fooled into thinking that Touch ID support means you can now use the app like Apple Pay, however: Touch ID only logs you into the app. Apple isn’t yet allowing third-party apps to access the NFC chip for contactless payments.
Version 8.174.19 of Google Wallet also allows you to access loyalty and gift cards while offline. The app is a free download from iTunes.
It was last month revealed that Google Wallet appears to be benefiting from the publicity generated by Apple for mobile payment solutions, the number of users doubling since Apple Pay was launched.
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I use Google Wallet on my Droid and I must say Apple Pay is the best thing that happened to NFC payment systems. It used to be used at this tiny number of locations so I never bothered and now it is EVERYWHERE.
I mocked the idea at first thinking it would not be any easier than swiping my card, but now that I have been using it I am seeing that while it is not really any faster or easier, it has so many side benefits; like digital transaction records.
I also carry a very small, card only, fold-less wallet, just my license, healthcare cards, one debit card and one credit card. I was never able to keep any store-specific cards on hand and only really two payment options. Now, I open the app and I have all my store-club cards, credit cards, and store-specific cards in one spot; just select and pay.
I must say I have done a complete 180 on this. I can’t say that I can leave my wallet at home just yet, but almost.
Yeah, Google Wallet is fantastic. I didn’t know that iPhones did not give NFC access to other apps. That’s sad
But I completely agree that it took Apple to get NFC payments to become a popular thing and commend them on that.
Google is atarting to bow down to Apple…..