14 DAY TRIAL // Google has just announced it will release a new version of the Google Wallet application later today, which will be available to all Android smartphones powered by version 2.3 and higher.
Another important change included in the upcoming new version of Google Wallet is that the application won’t require built-in NFC (Near Field Communication) connectivity.
“The updated app helps you easily send money on the go, store all your loyalty cards, save money through offers, and view all your Google Wallet activity - all in one place,” claims Google.
With the revamped Google Wallet app, users will be able to send money to a friend in the US with an email address.
According to Google, sending money from your bank account or Google Wallet Balance won’t cost a dime, but when using a linked credit or debit card users will have to pay certain fees.
Google also offers a bonus to those who send money with the Google Wallet app in the form of early access to sending money in Gmail from desktop while the company continues to roll out the feature broadly to Gmail users.
Google Wallet users will be able to add loyalty cards onto their accounts by simply scanning them. Other highlights of the new application include:
“- In-store purchases: if you have one of the 29 different NFC-enabled devices, you can continue to tap and pay at hundreds of thousands of US locations, while also enjoying the new Wallet features. We also have more NFC-enabled devices on the horizon as we continue to invest in NFC with our partners.
- Online and mobile purchases: you can continue to speed through online shopping by using your Google Wallet account to pay on Google Play, select mobile websites or a growing set of Android apps.”
The new version of Google Wallet will be available on the Google Play store beginning this week in the United States.