Tag: google payments

Google launches Hands Free service, making transactions more convenient

Google is working to take mobile payments to the next level. The company has launched a new hands-free, voice activated payment application, which is currently being tested in San Francisco, California. Called Hands Free, the service is meant to make mobile commerce more convenient than it already is. It could also give Google and edge in the mobile commerce battle if it can find favor among consumers that often use their mobile devices to shop for and purchase products online and in physical stores.

Hands Free uses an assortment of innovative technologies

Hands Free makes use of a combination of technologies, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and location tracking technology to allow the service to communicate with point-of-sale systems. When this is done, consumers can confirm purchases by saying the phrase “I’ll pay with Google.” Hands Free is a standalone service with no association with Android Pay apart from also being developed by Google. The company believes that the voice activation technology powering Hands Free can make mobile payments more convenient than it already is.

New service could be risky for consumers involved in the mobile commerce space

While Hands Free makes use of innovative technology, it may also suffer from certain security risks. Theoretically, the voice activation technology could be abused by those that want to take advantage of consumer financial information. In order to combat this, Google has equipped Hands Free with numerous security features. One of these features will ensure that cashiers can verify the identity of the person using Hands Free before a purchase is finalized.

Google continues to search for a foothold in the mobile commerce market

Google has been fighting an uphill battle in the mobile payments space. The company entered into the market mobile commerce market relatively early with its Google Wallet platform. The Wallet was somewhat unpopular among consumers, leading Google to change its mobile commerce plans. Now, the company has Android Play, which is has become its flagship payment service that is set to compete with those coming from other major technology companies.

The financial institution has recently released an update for its Android application which supports NFC technology.

Barclays recently updated its Android mobile payments app in order to allow it to be able to complete contactless transactions through the use of NFC technology, for those whose devices support that tech.

This service will be available to customers with both the Barclaycard credit card and its mobile app.

This same mobile payments service update will not apply to the Barclays Mobile Banking app. The new service supporting near field communication (NFC technology) will make it possible for consumers to make purchases of up to £30 at participating locations. These contactless transactions are made without needing to enter a PIN or even having to open the mobile app. When Apple Pay launched in the United Kingdom, Barclays did not support the service and became the target of considerable criticism.

This launch of its own NFC based mobile payments service helps to explain the move from Barclays.

It appears as though the financial institution is working on taking its own solid stance when it comes to supporting smartphone based transactions. It will be interesting to see how things play out when Google brings Android Pay to the United Kingdom, as that service – which also uses NFC technology – has not yet been rolled out in the country. So far, many in the industry believe it will take Google more time before it will be ready for that launch.

Through the use of the updated Barclaycard mobile app, all users need to do to take advantage of the service is to enable the NFC technology on their smartphones. When it comes time to pay for a purchase at a point of sale counter with a contactless reader, users need only tap their devices against the reader to complete the transaction.

The mobile payments app operates in the background. This is meant to make the process much simpler for consumers because they will neither need to launch the app nor enter a PIN in order to make a small purchase. Certain retailers will allow larger purchases, as high as £100, to be completed without the use of a PIN.