Tag: Google Wallet

Google Wallet Card Is Going Away

Google launched the Wallet Card in 2013 as a physical card for paying for things with your Google Wallet balance. The company is now alerting cardholders that it will end support on June 30.

Google says it has decided to end support after careful consideration, saying it wants to focus on making it easier than ever to send and receive money with the Google Wallet app.

Cardholders can make purchases with the card until June 30, but will no longer be able to add money to the balance from a debit card or bank account after May 1. Money you receive from other will still be added to your balance of course. If you still have money in your balance after May 1, you can keep it there, send it to others, or cash out at anytime for free.

Google says an email:

If you’re interested in finding a replacement for your Wallet Card, both American Express and Simple offer debit accounts with similar features, including a card. Plus, we’ve teamed up with them so that Wallet Card users will get an added bonus after signing up.

As we wind down support for the Wallet Card, we’re excited to continue enhancing Google Wallet to give you the best possible experience when paying friends and family. We’re hard at work on new features, so keep an eye out for those in the coming months.

Google addresses some frequently asked questions on the subject here.

Image via Google

March 31, 2016
Google Wallet Lets You Send Money To Any Contact By Phone Number

Google announced that Google Wallet users can now send money to anyone in their contact list with just a phone number. Users have been able to do so with email addresses in the past, but now you don’t even need that.

If you choose to send money with a phone number, the recipient will get a text with a secure link from which they can enter their debit card to claim the money and it will appear in their bank account within minutes.

The feature is available in an update to the Google Wallet app on both iOS and Android.

Google has also improved contact suggestions in the app. You’ll now see the people you send money to the most first. There’s also an new security feature that lets you lock the app by tapping a button.

Finally, you can now add a second bank account to the app.

Image via Google

December 10, 2015
Android Pay Is Now Here

Google announced that it is now beginning to roll out Android Pay, its answer to Apple Pay as unveiled at Google I/O in May. The product lets Android users pay securely with their phones at millions of physical locations throughout the U.S. as well as in apps.

Android Pay also stores gift cards, loyalty cards, and other offers from various restaurants and stores. 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.

“Android Pay works with all NFC-enabled Android devices (running KitKat 4.4+), on any mobile carrier, at every tap and pay ready location across the US,” explains Pali Bhat, Director of Product Management for Android Pay. “Android Pay will support credit and debit cards from the four major payment networks: American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. These cards are issued by many of the most popular US banks and credit unions, including American Express, Bank of America, Discover, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC, Regions Bank, USAA, and U.S. Bank. Citi and Wells Fargo will be available in the next few days, Capital One is coming soon, and we’re adding new banks all the time.”

Here’s the presentation from Google I/O:

“We know how important it is to keep your personal and financial information secure, so Android Pay is supported by industry standard tokenization,” says Bhat. “This means your real credit or debit card number isn’t sent with your payment. Instead, we’ll use a virtual account number that provides an extra layer of security. As soon as you make a purchase, you’ll see a payment confirmation that shows where a given transaction happened, so it’s easy to catch any suspicious activity. And if your phone is ever lost or stolen, simply use Android Device Manager to instantly lock your device from anywhere, secure it with a new password, or even wipe it clean of your personal information.”

Android Pay is rolling out gradually over the coming days, and Google says it will be adding more features, banks, and store locations in the coming months. In fact, the mobile checkout functionality in apps, which has been touted since Android Pay’s initial unveiling won’t be available until later this year. Stay tuned.

Ahead of the announcement, Google launched a new Google Wallet app, which will remain a separate service from Android Pay. More on that here.

Images via Google

September 10, 2015
Google Wallet Gets A Brand New App

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

September 10, 2015
Google Wallet Expanding As Checkout Option

Google Wallet is growing as a payment option as it has now been adopted by both Dunkin’ Donuts and Seamless, which have integrated it into their checkout experiences for Android users.

“People are ordering food and drinks through their smartphones more and more, everyday,” says Hana Chang, Head of Commerce Platforms at Google. “But having to type all your credit card information through that tiny keyboard can be a hassle. So we’ve joined forces with many of your favorite food and beverage brands to add Google Wallet at checkout, allowing you to place orders in as few as two clicks.”

“Dunkin’ Donuts now brings its guests a faster way to purchase and recharge their mobile Dunkin’ Donuts Cards in the Dunkin’ Donuts Mobile App on Android,” says Chang. “By simply selecting Google Wallet at checkout, Dunkin’ Donuts guests can recharge their cards with a couple of clicks—no need to type in credit card information anymore. And hungry Seamless customers will start to see the Google Wallet payment option available in their Android app, helping them get their grub – a delicious array of 80+ cuisine types – in a snap.”

“Google Wallet offers our guests with Android devices another quick and convenient way to load or reload a Dunkin’ Donuts Card within the Dunkin’ Mobile App, to purchase favorite Dunkin’ Donuts food and beverages quickly and get back into their busy day,” said Scott Hudler, Vice President, Global Consumer Engagement at Dunkin’ Brands. “Developing and delivering technologies to enhance guests’ experience, including the Dunkin’ Mobile App, DD Perks rewards program, and eventually mobile ordering, will continue to differentiate our brand as we continue our growth throughout the country.”

Others using Google Wallet include Papa John’s, Domino’s, Eat24, Panda Express, and Jason’s Deli. Papa John’s implemented it back in November.

“In today’s digital economy, consumers are increasingly turning to their smart phones for online purchases, highlighting the importance of convenience and payment security,” said CMO Bob Kraut. “Google Wallet was Papa John’s first venture into mobile payments, and now with more than 50 percent of our sales taking place on mobile or computer, the partnership provides our customers a better and more secure ordering experience.”

Google has been partnering with platforms like Shopify, ChowNow, and Shopgate to get Google Wallet in use at more stores restaurants. ChowNow announced its partnership with Google earlier this week. It brings Google Wallet to thousands of independent restaurants in the U.S.

“We continue to uphold our mission of helping independent restaurants compete with larger chains by providing them with technology that would be both difficult and cost-prohibitive for them to build themselves,” said ChowNow CEO Chris Webb.

“The addition of Google Wallet benefits both restaurants and their customers,” the company added. “Rather than manually inputting their credit card number and billing address, customers with an Android phone can simply tap the “Buy with Google” button. As a result of the added convenience and reduced ordering times, restaurants should see increased order volumes, and hence a more profitable to-go business. With 70 million Android phones currently in use the addition of Google Wallet has broad appeal.”

Google has a list of mobile apps and sites that accept Google Wallet as a payment option here. And don’t forget they offer the Google Wallet card, that lets you use your balance pretty much anywhere.

Image via Google

April 9, 2015
Google Wallet For iOS Lets You Split Bills

Google Wallet for iOS will now let you split up bills with your friends, adding a helpful function to an app Google is still hoping will truly take off.

Google announced the news in a brief Google+ post:

The days of arguing about how to split the dinner bill are over. With the latest version of Google Wallet on iOS you can pick any charge, add the people you want to split it with, choose how you want to divide it up, and they’ll receive a request for their share of the total.

The app has been updated with a few other features as well. For one, it now supports Apple’s Touch ID, so users can use their fingerprint to unlock it.

It also got a general redesign, taking advantage of Material Design, which the company is slowly rolling out to most of its apps.

Google has been trying to generate more interest from iOS developers, and that will likely extend to Google Wallet, particularly as rival Apple Pay continues to gain support.

Image via Google+

December 16, 2014
Google Will Give You Money To Refer Friends To Google Wallet

Google has a new Google Wallet referral program in which it will give users $5 when their friends claim money from them.

Google explains how it works in a support document (via TheNextWeb):

You and a friend can each get $5 when you introduce them to Google Wallet. Simply send money (even a penny works) to a friend of yours who doesn’t have a Google Wallet Balance yet. When they claim the money and verify their identity, you’ll each receive $5 in your Wallet Balance within 3 business days.

When you’re sending money to someone, you’ll see a confirmation message if your transaction applies for this promotion.

There are some stipulations. Both parties’ addresses have to be in the United States. Both have to verify their identities, and you’ll need to have a Wallet Balance already. It also has to be your friend’s first time creating a Wallet Balance.

Google will give you a$5 credit for up to 20 referrals. The offer will run until Google sees 20,000 referrals or the end of the month, whichever comes first.

Image via Google

November 18, 2014
Google Wallet Adds Recurring Bank Transfers, Low Balance Alerts

Google announced that Google Wallet users can now add money to their balance using recurring bank transfers. The company insists that this is secure.

Also new to Wallet are low balance alerts that let you know when you’re getting close to running out of money.

“With recurring bank transfers, adding money to your Wallet Balance takes care of itself,” says product manager Andrew Waterman. “Simply schedule a recurring transfer from your bank account right into your Wallet Balance, and never worry about adding money to your Wallet Balance again. Choose the amount, set a schedule (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly) and you’re all set. Money will be added to your Wallet Balance automatically, and you can cancel your transfer at any time.”

“There are no fees or minimum balance requirements for your Wallet Balance. And rest assured, your money is safe,” he adds. “Your Wallet Balance is backed by 24/7 fraud monitoring and the Google Wallet Fraud Protection Guarantee, which covers 100% of any transactions made without your authorization. If your device is lost or stolen, you can easily disable the Google Wallet app online or by contacting Google customer support.”

The low balance alerts are pretty self-explanatory. You can turn them on or off.

If you like to use your Google Wallet Card much, these new features should be pretty handy.

Image via Google

October 30, 2014
Google Wallet Gets Some New Features

Google announced some new features for Google Wallet on Android and iOS, including the ability to manage gift cards and redeem them in stores with the app, request money from friends, and send money with your debit card.

Google Wallet already offered the ability to store loyalty cards, so the addition of gift cards is the next logical move. You can add cards to Wallet by taking a picture of them or by typing in the card info. Then, you can just show the cashier at the store your phone with that info on the screen. Participating stores include AMC Theatres, Best Buy, Nike, Sephora, Toys R Us, and Whole Foods Market, to name a few.

It will also store gift cards sent electronically, of course. Those participating in this include Sephora, TGI Friday’s, and Whole Foods, and will have emails with a “Save to Google” option.

Google Wallet product manager Glenn Thrope says, “For all those times when your friends forget to pay you back for dinner, you can simply request money using the Google Wallet app (for U.S. users, 18 years and older). They will receive a notification and can instantly pay you back. If they need a reminder, you can send them a friendly nudge from within the app. You can also send your friends a message right within Gmail, and request money just like you would attach a picture.”

“You can now send money for free in Wallet by using your debit card. No more searching around for a checkbook or waiting for your funds to arrive. With Google Wallet, your money is at your fingertips,” he adds.

There’s also good news for Spanish-speaking users. Those that have the Spanish language settings activated on their devices will start seeing the app in Spanish.

The update is rolling out this week in the U.S.

Image via Google

July 16, 2014
Google Gets You Acquainted With Instant Buy

At Google I/O last year, Google launched the Google Wallet Instant Buy API to simplify mobile shopping, and help sellers get more conversions buy speeding up the checkout process. It was originally launched for Android, but Google expanded it to iOS earlier this month ahead of Google I/O 2014.

Businesses can include a “Buy with Google” button on their mobile sites and apps, making use of the API, and enabling customers to quickly complete the checkout process.

At I/O last week, Google held a session about the API for developers, and posted the video online over the weekend. Here’s the description:

One of the top barriers to mobile commerce remains friction during checkout. Google Wallet Instant Buy brings two click checkout to all major platforms: Android, mobile web, and iOS. Besides cross platform support, since last year we have been busy making Instant Buy even better. We’ve worked with developers to make it even easier to integrate and monetize physical goods and services on Android. We’ve listened to buyers and have made using Instant Buy a simpler experience. Whether you are looking to improve your existing app or build the next great mobile commerce app, you’ll want to learn about Instant Buy and how it has improved conversions and sales for developers who are already using it.

Michael Galpin and Prakash Hariramani are the speakers.

Image via Google

June 30, 2014
Google Helps You Get More Conversions From iOS Users

97% of mobile shoppers abandon their shopping carts. That’s a stat Google has been tossing around for about two years (hopefully it’s gotten a little better since then).

Either way, Google is expanding a feature it launched on Android over a year ago, which it hopes will solve this problem, to iOS. It’s also available for the web. The Google Wallet Instant Buy API lets developers in the U.S. make the checkout process in their apps easier. Here’s a look:

According to Google, RueLaLa saw a 4X increase in purchase conversion for Google Wallet users on Android after integrating the API. Eat24 saw an 11% higher average order value compared to credit card purchases. Fancy saw a 20% conversion increase on mobile and desktop sites as well as Android.

Google has been working with partners B&H, Eat24, Fancy, Newegg, Sionic Mobile and Wish to integrate the API into their iOS apps, but access is now open to other developers.

Image via Google

June 12, 2014
Google Wallet Now Keeps Track Of Your Recent Orders

Google has added a new feature to Google Wallet, which automatically keeps track of users’ online purchases. It appears on the Android and iOS apps.

It will also notify you about the status of your orders.

“Once you activate Orders in Google Wallet, you’ll be able to see any receipts sent to your Gmail right in the Google Wallet app,” says product manager Amit Litsur. “We’ve also worked with primary package carriers in the US so that when your order status is updated, you’ll get notified of the update through Wallet. So whether your order is shipped, out for delivery, or delayed, you’ll never wonder about the status of your order.”

“Google Wallet also makes it easy to see your order history and details of what you’ve purchased all in one place,” he adds. “You can view the products you’ve ordered, merchant contact information, and shipping details in the app. Plus, with just one click you can call or email the merchant if you have questions about your order.”

2014 has been a relatively quite year for Google Wallet so far, though it did get an update in January making it easier to add loyalty cards.

Image via Google

March 13, 2014
Ready To Let Google Be Your Bank?

Google Wallet has come a long way over the past year, and this week in particular, made perhaps its most significant move towards becoming a truly major way to pay for goods and services.

On Wednesday, Google unveiled the Google Wallet Card, a physical card that consumers can use to pay for things in stores using their Google accounts.

Do you currently use Google Wallet? Do you trust Google with your money? Do you think the Google Wallet Card is going to catch on? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The card is free. That’s a key. If you have a Google Wallet account, you can get a card. Pretty simple. So right off the bat, there’s very little friction in at least getting these in users’ hands (or Wallets, if you will).

Google suggests that a friend could pay you back money you lent them using Google Wallet, and then turn around and use that money (via your Google Wallet Card) at the store to buy groceries. Just one example of where this card could come in handy.

Google Wallet product manager Sandra Mariano explains, “Now, you can use the new Google Wallet Card to spend the money instantly, either by purchasing in stores or by withdrawing cash at ATMs, without having to wait for money to transfer from your Google Wallet Balance to your bank account. The Google Wallet Card is a debit card that lets you quickly access your Wallet Balance, whether you’ve received it from a friend or added it directly from a linked bank account or credit/debit card.”

The card can be used anywhere in the U.S. (so far) where MasterCard is accepted.

“And don’t forget, there are many ways of spending your Wallet Balance in addition to spending it with the Google Wallet Card,” says Mariano. “You can use your Wallet Balance to send money to friends, purchase on Google Play, YouTube and other products, tap and pay in stores, or transfer money to your bank account.”

And that’s the thing. Google has already integrated Google Wallet all over the place, particularly on Google services (and I’m guessing you use one or two of those). There’s a good chance you already have this account (even less friction).

As you probably know, Google Wallet took over for Google Checkout, which launched all the way back in 2006. Google has had about seven years to get Google Wallet accounts racked up. Obviously many sites around the web accept Google payments.

Checkout officially shut down this past week. If you have been using Google Checkout as a payment option on your site, and haven’t prepared for the change, you might want to watch this video.

Another big feature Google launched this year was the integration of Google Wallet into Gmail, enabling users to send payments by email, similar to Square Cash, but more limited in some ways.

You can also now book hotels with Google Wallet, using Google’s Hotel Finder.

A major component of Google Wallet is its ability to simplify the buying process on mobile. A few months back, Google launched the Google Wallet “Instant Buy” API aimed at helping businesses decrease abandonment rates on mobile devices. According to the company at the time, the abandonment rate of shopping carts on mobile is a whopping 97%.

The Verge hailed the move as “a big play from Google to take its payment service to mobile in a subtle way,” and that’s pretty much a perfect way of putting it.

“The Instant Buy API is designed for merchants and developers selling physical goods and services, who already have a payment processor and are looking to simplify the checkout experience for their customers,” explained Google’s Prakash Hariramani. “Developers selling digital goods within their apps will continue to use Google Play In-app Billing, which offers full payment processing capability, including support for carrier billing and gift cards.”

This week, in addition to launching the Google Wallet Card, Google updated the Android app, enabling users to easily add funds to their accounts by taking pictures of their credit and debit cards. It will capture the number and the expiration date automatically.

A lot of banks already let you deposit checks this way with their mobile apps. How long until you can simply deposit checks into your Google Wallet account?

The app also now includes a button you can click on to order your Google Wallet Card.

As far as adoption goes, Google Wallet only launched for the iPhone two months ago, so that should help it gain some traction. This followed another major update for the Android app, which brought some new loyalty programs with it, as well as the aforementioned email payment method. The iPhone version also includes these.

Google is often in the news for privacy-related issues, and it stands to reason that some people won’t trust Google with their money. The company just settled with 37 states over Safari user tracking, and even more recently, a German court ruled that Google’s privacy policy violates data protection law.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Google Play was sending personal details to developers when users bought their apps on the Play Store. Congress even got involved, and then Google responded by updating Google Wallet to remove personally identifiable information from transactions.

People will no doubt be wondering if Google is using their Wallet Card transactions for other purposes. Keep in mind recent reports that Google is testing tacking consumers through the physical world to give data to advertisers. That’s with smartphones. With the Wallet Card, Google has found yet another way into your pocket.

Google has shown it is taking payments seriously with a series of aggressive moves in 2013. I expect we’ll be seeing quite a few more over the coming year.

Google had an April Fools’ joke this year about launching the Google Wallet Mobile ATM that you can plug into your smartphone and get cash.

I don’t know if we’ll be seeing anything quite that revolutionary from Google Wallet anytime soon, but Google obviously has some interesting ideas.

So how about it? Are you going to be a Google Wallet Card carrier? Do you use Google Wallet for any kind of transaction on a regular or non-regular basis? Tell us about how you use it or why you don’t.

November 24, 2013
Google Wallet Now Lets You Add Credit/Debit Cards By Snapping Pictures

Earlier this week, Google unveiled the Google Wallet Card, a physical card that you can use to pay for things at stores using your Google Wallet account.

Google has now updated its Google Wallet app for Android, adding another big feature. You can now add credit and debit cards to your account by taking pictures of them.

“Add a credit/debit card just by taking a picture,” Google says in the What’s New section on Google Wallet’s Google Play page. “Both the number and expiration date will be captured automatically.”

The Google Wallet Card is free. Another feature of the latest update is a direct line to getting one:

Also included in the update are some minor bug fixes and performance improvements.

[via Android Guys]

Image: Google Wallet

November 22, 2013
Google Wallet Card Lets You Spend Your Google Money Pretty Much Anywhere

Google unveiled the new Google Wallet Card today. This is a physical card that you can use to pay for things using Google Wallet.

Google uses the example of your friend paying you through Google Wallet, and you using the card to pay for groceries.

“Now, you can use the new Google Wallet Card to spend the money instantly, either by purchasing in stores or by withdrawing cash at ATMs, without having to wait for money to transfer from your Google Wallet Balance to your bank account,” explains Google Wallet product manager Sandra Mariano. “The Google Wallet Card is a debit card that lets you quickly access your Wallet Balance, whether you’ve received it from a friend or added it directly from a linked bank account or credit/debit card.”

The card can be used anywhere that accepts MasterCard in the U.S.

“And don’t forget, there are many ways of spending your Wallet Balance in addition to spending it with the Google Wallet Card,” says Mariano. “You can use your Wallet Balance to send money to friends, purchase on Google Play, YouTube and other products, tap and pay in stores, or transfer money to your bank account.”

When you use the card, you’ll get notifications on your phone about the transactions.

The card is free for users, and there are no annual fees. You can order one from your Google Wallet app (via an upcoming update) or from your Google Wallet account online.

On a related note, Google Wallet has added new loyalty programs from Amtrak, Avis, California Pizza Kitchen, Orbitz, The Body Shop and Walgreens.

November 20, 2013
Google Explains Wallet Objects Concepts (Templates, Classes, Objects)

Google has put out a new informational developer video about the Wallet Objects platform, discussing templates, classes and objects.

Google developers Maru Ahues Bouza and Peng Ying give you an in-depth overview.

The two recently discussed the Wallet Objects API Java quick start in another video, which you can watch here.

When Google launched the new Wallet app in September, it announced some new loyalty programs, which take advantage of the Objects API, which itself, was launched earlier this year.

November 15, 2013
Google Hotel Finder Finally Gets Ability To Book Reservations From Your Phone

Google launched Hotel Finder back in 2011, and now, they’ve finally added the ability to book hotels from your mobile device. This seems like a pretty key feature to have in such an offering, but better late than never, right?

Now, if you go to google.com/hotels on your phone, you can search, filter your results and book your hotel through one of Google’s partners.

“You can filter the search results by price, hotel class, user rating and distance,” says product manager Maciek Nowakowski. “Select a hotel to learn more: photos, hotel amenities, reviews and its location on a map can all be conveniently accessed from the same page. You can also save hotels that appeal to you into a short list for easy comparison by pressing the star.”

You can use Google Wallet to book the reservation if you find the “Buy with Google” button, but if you don’t use Wallet, you can still just enter your payment info.

While Hotel Finder is available in over 100 countries, the new booking capability is only available in the U.S. for now.

Image: Google

November 5, 2013
Here’s A Lesson On The Google Wallet Objects API Java Quick Start

Google has put out a new Google Developers Live video on YouTube discussing the Wallet Objects API and how to get started with their Java quick start sample. This is designed to help developers get started with their integration quickly.

It showcases authorizing access, inserting a new Wallet Objects class, using the Saved Wallet API and using the web service API to enable instant sign-up and linking from the Google Wallet app.

When Google launched the new Wallet app last month, it announced some new loyalty programs, which take advantage of the Objects API, which itself, was launched earlier this year.

October 31, 2013
Google Checkout To Shut Down On November 20

Back in November 2011, Google announced that it was retiring Google Checkout in favor of Google Wallet. After that announcement, Google Checkout remained operational for another year and a half until Google announced in May of this year that it was no longer accepting new signups for the service. It also said the service would permanently shut down in six months, but now we have an actual date.

Google announced that Google Checkout will shut down once and for all on November 20. Google says the “decision was not made lightly,” but it felt that its “focus is best concentrated on other areas of the payment space.” It knows that a number of online businesses will be impacted by Google Checkout’s closure, and Google has a few options for all retailers that used its service.

Before we get to that, however, you’ll need to know the timeline of Google Checkout’s demise. First, the service will shut down on November 20. This will be the last day that merchants using Google Checkout will be able to charge orders. A day later, on November 21, will be the last day merchants can ship orders. After that, all outstanding orders will be canceled on November 27. Finally, merchants have until December 20 to process refunds.

So, what is Google doing to help merchants transition away from Google Checkout? For starters, it wants any and all merchants selling goods through Google-hosted marketplaces (e.g. Google Play) to know that they will remain unaffected through all of this as all transactions will automatically switch over to Google Wallet if they haven’t already. As for merchants selling digital goods, they can also easily switch to Google Wallet. You can find out more here.

The only merchants getting the short end of the stick here are those who sell physical objects as Google will not be replacing Google Checkout with a comparable service. Instead, Google has teamed up with three third-party alternatives to offer Google Checkout refugees discounted services:
Payment Processing: Braintree Payments
Hosted storefront: Shopify
Email invoicing: Freshbooks

While Google Wallet can’t serve all the needs that were fulfilled by Google Checkout, the company does have two services that it wants merchants to use for their business:

Google Wallet Instant Buy: Quick and easy payments on mobile, desktop, and in-app
Google Wallet Objects: Digital commercial objects and stronger third party issuer-consumer relationships

Before merchants can start replacing Google Checkout, they’ll have to remove it from their Web site first. To help out with that, Google has a number of helpful tutorials that cover every level of Google Play integration from email invoicing all the way to custom built integration through HTML/XML. You can learn more here.

If you want to learn more about Google Checkout’s death or what to do with your current Web site, you’ll want to check out Google’s exhaustive FAQ here.

[Image: katokazu/YouTube]

October 22, 2013