Google launched a new Google Wallet app in the Google Play store. It’s a separate app from the existing Google Wallet app that you already know.
In fact, if you search for Google Wallet in the store, you’ll still find the old one. 9to5Google, however, points us to the new one, which is labeled “Google Wallet (New)“. The publication suggests that the old version will likely be converted to Android Pay when that becomes available, and the new one will function as the continuing Google Wallet.
The new one lets you send money to anyone in the U.S. with an email address regardless of whether they have a Wallet account. You can send money directly from your debit card, bank account, or Wallet Balance. You can also use it to manage your Wallet Card, cash out, and keep track of your spending.
On the app’s page in the Google Play Store, Google notes that the Android Pay app is coming soon.
Android Pay was unveiled at Google I/O earlier this year at Google I/O as the company’s answer to Apple Pay. Google described it as “the simple and secure way to pay with your Android phone”. It lets you pay for things in stores as well as in apps. Partners include best Buy, Coca-Cola, GameStop, Jamba Juice, McDonald’s, Macy’s, Pepsi, Office Depot, Staples, Walgreens, Toys R Us, Whole Foods, Domino’s, Dunkin Donuts, Lyft, Groupon, LivingSocial, Etsy, Priceline, Uber, and Chipotle to name a few.
Loyalty programs and special offers are automatically applied at checkout. More on that here.
Images via Google