Near Field Communications Handsets and Tags, NFC Pilots and Projects

Google Wallet debuts

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Google has officially released the first version of its Google Wallet app to Sprint.

According to Google’s blog, the app will be delivered to all Sprint Nexus S 4G phones through an over-the-air update. As a bonus, early Wallet adopters will be rewarded with a $10 free to use on their Google Prepaid Card.


Additionally, Google says that Visa, Discover and American Express have shared NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet, joining original partners Citi and MasterCard.

“This is still just the beginning,” Google said on their blog. “While we’re excited about this first step, we look forward to bringing Google Wallet to more phones in the future.” [end] 

New Jersey Transit’s use of NFC payments with Google Wallet has been an “overwhelming and resounding success,” according to NJ Transit spokesman John Durson.

Introduced on the NJ Transit network in October 2011, Google Wallet enables riders to purchase tickets with the tap of an NFC-enabled phone at New York Penn Station, Newark Liberty Airport’s rail station and on 7 city bus lines.

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Virgin Mobile has set a May 15 launch date for the LG Optimus Elite, the first device in the operator’s lineup to feature NFC and Google Wallet.

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Google is rethinking its mobile payments strategy in light of slow consumer adoption of Google Wallet, sources close to the project told Bloomberg.

Feeling the heat from competitor Isis, Google is said to be courting wireless operators Verizon and AT&T in an effort to expand the service, which is currently only available through Sprint on two handsets.

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Google has acquired payments technology company TxVia, Google Wallet chief Osama Bedier announced on the company’s blog.

According to Bedier, the acquisition will improve Google Wallet’s payments capabilities and help to “accelerate innovation towards our full Google Wallet vision.”

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