Google I/O 2022 was full of big announcements like the Pixel 6a and Pixel Watch, as well as major news about Android 13. However, no one expected Google to introduce a new version of Walletyour digital wallet.
Google Wallet is not a completely new development. The app debuted a few years ago in 2011 before disappearing as a standalone product in 2018 when Mountain View decided to merge it with Android Pay and relaunch it as Google Pay.
Now Google is intent on bringing Wallet back to life as a standalone app, and it looks like it has big plans for that. The Californian idea is not only to use it to manage our credit and debit cards virtually, but also for other types of documentation. From ID cards and driver’s licenses, to vaccination certificates, boarding passes, event passes and hotel or car keys.
If all this sounds familiar to you, it might be because Apple introduced it to iOS a long time ago. But now Google intends to offer a similar option for Android, partnering with third parties to provide several of the features mentioned in the previous paragraph. However, one of the most interesting points will be integration with other applications developed in Mountain View.
Here’s how Google explained it on their blog:
The wallet also works with other Google apps; For example, if you’re on the bus to see a friend and you’re looking for directions on Google Maps, your transit card and its balance will appear next to your route. If you run out of balance, you can click and add more. We will also give you full control over how your portfolio items are used to realize these opportunities; for example, personal information about your COVID vaccine pass is stored on your device and is never shared without your permission, including to Google.
Google is confident that Wallet will be attractive to developers
Californians explained that today developers can turn almost any object into a digital pass. This is also the renewal of Google’s interest in the wallet and its corresponding restart. The company also believes that the capabilities of the application are now can be used on all types of smartphoneseven with more limited specifications.
“Even if the phone can’t use some Google Wallet features, it’s possible that developers use barcodes or QR codes for their content that other devices can access,” they said.
But it’s also important to note that Google Wallet won’t be limited to Android phones. Also suitable for Wear OSoffering initial support for making payments with credit and debit cards using smartwatches using the specified operating system.
At the moment, the release date of the new version of the Google digital wallet is not specified. It was only mentioned that it would be available “in the next few weeks”; this will mark his return to life after four years of absence and more than ten years since his first appearance on the stage.
Source: Hiper Textual
