Loading ...

Google has officially launched its new mobile payment service Google Wallet – a mobile application that lets you make purchases in stores with a smartphone via contactless technology Near Field Communication (NFC).

With Google Wallet users for goods and services needed to make a smartphone with NFC-chip to a special reader and enter PIN-code, after which the money is debited for the purchase with a credit card. This technology, many leading companies see as a more convenient alternative to traditional bank cards. However, while Google Wallet will only work in the U.S., where they can use at POS payment terminals with MasterCard PayPass, which has about 150 thousand.

Now Google Wallet support payments only with the help of two types of cards – credit MasterCard from Citi Bank and virtual Google Prepaid Card, the balance of which can be refilled with any credit card. In the future, Google representatives promised to add support for cards Visa, American Express and Discover.

Another limitation – the program currently can only work on smartphones Nexus S 4G-based operating system Android, mobile operator connected to Sprint. But in the future we plan to extend support to other smart phones with a chip NFC.

Recall technology NFC (Near Field Communication) allows data exchange between closely spaced (several centimeters) devices. NFC is an extension of ISO / IEC 14443, describing the parameters of passive (lacking its own power source), contactless cards (such cards are used, for example, travel tickets in the subway).

Theoretically, NFC can replace credit cards.

According to the developers, NFC uses a more technically sophisticated technology authorization than existing cards issued by banks. However, this popular technology, its support must also be on the side of the seller of the goods or service provider, so by 2012 are unlikely to be talking about the widespread popularity of technology.