Google is making a comeback after its not so successful stint with Google Wallet. The new Android Pay service, unveiled last week may just be the kind of service Google needs to keep up with rest of the industry competitors including its arch rival’s Apple Pay service.
Once launched, Android Pay will be competing against the likes of Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, MasterCard’s MasterPass and Visa Checkout. Users can enter their card details to their Android Pay account and use their NFC enabled Android phones to check out at any of the partner stores. Android Pay can also be used for one touch check out while making a purchase, booking a ticket or a hotel room on an android app. Tap, Pay and Done!
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According to the information available on the Android webpage, Android Pay services will be initially available only for US customers. AMEX, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, BoA, Navy Federal, PNC, USAA, Regions and US Bank are among the list of cards supported by Android Pay.
While using Android Pay, customers don’t have to worry about their card information being shared with the merchant. The service creates and uses a virtual account number representing the customer’s account information for payments.
Android Pay aims to bring in the same ease of transaction as that of Bitcoin, but with fiat currency. Even though there is no information regarding whether Android Pay will support Bitcoin in the future, but there have been speculations going around on the internet dating back to over an year about Google’s plans to include Bitcoin to its Google Wallet service.
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Android Pay definitely has an edge over other competitors, thanks to the huge number of Android powered mobile devices users around the world. The ease of integration and wide-spread adoption of Android devices may act in favour of Google. Once the service is launched, we will be able to find out.