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Tag: Google Wallet

  • PayPal Adds 15 Stores to Offline Payment Solution

    PayPal Adds 15 Stores to Offline Payment Solution

    PayPal has just announced on its blog that it’s outfitting 15 new U.S. brick and mortar retailers to use its offline payment and shopping solutions. The stores include Abercrombie & Fitch, Advance Auto Parts, Aéropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, Foot Locker, Guitar Center, Jamba Juice, JC Penney, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Nine West, Office Depot, Rooms To Go, Tiger Direct and Toys “R” Us.

    The system doesn’t require a merchant to install NFC or any other sort of upgrade, and works with a store’s existing hardware. Consumers can make purchases with either a PayPal card, or with a phone number and PIN. PayPal President David Marcus states, “Consumers are relying on technology now more than ever to simplify their lives when it comes to shopping and paying, and retailers must adapt to this shift or risk becoming irrelevant – Innovative retailers everywhere are looking for ways to improve the shopping experience, extend loyalty programs and better engage with their customers.”

    Marcus adds, “We’re able to drive consumers through a retailer’s doors with relevant offers, coupons and discounts, then maintain a relationship with that consumer that keeps bringing them back to the retailer, in store or online.” It’s evident that PayPal seeks to not only give consumers an alternative to standard credit cards, but also seeks to compete with Google Wallet for in-store sales, as well as with Groupon.

    PayPal also recently noted that the YMCA was the first non-profit to adopt its Here card-reader system. PayPal Here, similar to Square’s Card Reader system, charges a 2.7% fee on all transactions, as compared to Square’s 2.75%.

  • Galaxy Nexus On Sale: Free Google Wallet

    Galaxy Nexus On Sale: Free Google Wallet

    Good news for Android fans, the new Samsung Nexus phone (HSPA+) is on sale at Google Play and they’re selling it for a low price plus throwing in the Google Wallet app free. The latest version of Nexus features Ice Cream Sandwich, a 4.56″ HD AMOLED display, and is totally unlocked. That means you can sign up with what ever carrier you want.

    That’s right for about $400 you can have an unlocked device free of any contracts or obligations. If you look at what carriers charge for these kinds of devices without signing a two-year contract you’ll see this is a hell of a deal. The free Google Wallet is a nice upgrade too, but if you don’t plan on buying the Nexus, Sprint can get you the free Google Wallet app too.

    The LG Viper 4GLTE and the LG Optimus Elite will also give you the Wallet when you choose these devices on a two-year sprint contract.

    Stylist Lilliana Vazquez gives a powerful testimonial for the Google Wallet:

  • Galaxy Nexus Coming To Sprint April 22nd

    A month ago we reported a rumor that the popular Samsung Galaxy Nexus would be coming to Sprint on April 15th. With the 15th having now come and gone, that rumor was plainly wrong. But apparently it was pretty darn close. Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Nexus will be coming to Sprint this coming Sunday, April 22nd

    Unlike Verizon, Sprint’s version of the Galaxy Nexus features Google’s NFC-based instant payment platform, Google Wallet. To encourage customers to use the service, Sprint is offering everyone who purchases a Galaxy Nexus $50 to activate their Google Wallet account within a week of getting their phone. You’ll get an instant $10 credit when you activate your account, followed by another $40 credit sometime in the following three weeks.

    The Galaxy Nexus is the first phone on Sprint’s network to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It’s also one of only two phones (so far, the other being the LG Viper, which became available for pre-order last week) that will be compatible with Sprint’s 4G LTE network when it begins to go live later this year.

    The Galaxy Nexus launched in December of last year on Verizon’s network and has proven quite popular. In addition to Google Wallet, it also includes Android Beam, another feature that makes use of the phone’s built-in NFC technology to share web pages, contacts, videos, apps, and more between NFC-capable Android devices. It also sports a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display.

    The Galaxy Nexus is currently available for pre-order on Sprint’s website. Though Sprint doesn’t guarantee arrival by Sunday if you pre-order today, they promise to “do our best to get it to you” before then. It costs $199.99 with a 2-year service agreement.

  • New Google Wallet Rewards

    Google’s Commerce Blog just announced a promotion regarding Google Wallet, offering free Listerine Pocketpaks to those Google Wallet customers that use the app to make a purchase at participating locations before April 28th. Users of Google Wallet, the virtual pocketbook platform that stores a users credit information – which can be used as a credit/debit card to make real-world purchases, can locate businesses that accept the app in general by checking Google’s ‘where it works‘ page.

    Below is a video of Google Wallet in use:

    Google Wallet also stores a user’s offers and other reward promotions right within the app, and merchants can scan the bar code of the deal or manually enter its number. Wallet also offers Google SingleTap, which is supported by select stores, where one can pay and redeem an offer by tapping their phone once while checking out.

    The Listerine promotion is offered by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., and is presently redeemable at over 167 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations in New York City.

    In related news, it was recently reported that Google acquired payments technology company TxVia, to reinforce its Wallet app. Osama Bedier, Vice President of Wallet and Payments at Google, stated, “Finding and purchasing products is a big part of day-to-day life – At Google, we’re working to create new ways to improve the commerce experience. We’ve worked closely with TxVia over the last year, and they’re a forward-thinking team that will help us take the next steps in realizing the future of commerce.”

  • Google Wallet Engineer Moves to Square Inc.

    Robert Van Behren, co-founding engineer of the Google Wallet, has left his position with the technology giant as of January and joined the ranks of Square Inc. As you may remember, we have been following Square and founder Jack Dorsey as they acquire new talent for the start up.

    Von Behren updated his Linkedin page today to read ‘Hyperspatial Payments Pioneer at Square’ under the employment overview section. His career at Google dates back to 2004 where he started out as a software engineer. He attended UC Berkeley from 1998-2006 as a PhD student in Computer Science, but never graduated.

    Van Beren reports he is going to help Square expand its existing product line. Currently the start up has about 75,000 participating merchants. Direct competitors for the service include the Google Wallet, PayPal, and Intuit Inc.

    Van Behren commented to NFC Times on his move to Square:

    “When I left the Google Wallet project in January, I fully expected to stop working in payments but to remain at Google,”

    “After meeting the team at Square, however, I decided to do the opposite. Square is doing some great things in the payment space. They have a strong leadership team and a culture that fosters innovation.”

    At Square he joins Google ex-partner Jonathan Wall, former Tesla communications specialist Ricardo Reyes, former Apple executive Jesse Dorogusker, and Alyssa Cutright formerly of PayPay, now in charge of international business. With this lineup, Square is poised to revolutionize the way merchants interact with credit transactions.

    We will be following Square as they continue to drive innovation in the mobile payment sector and we will keep you updated on changes at the start up. Dorsey has a goal to double their current staff of about 250 in the next couple of months so we can expect more talented addition to the team soon.

  • Google Acquires TxVia To Bolster Google Wallet

    Google announced last night that it has acquired TxVia, a payments technology company, which will become part of Google Wallet.

    “Since 2008, TxVia has supported the management of more than 100 million accounts,” says Osama Bedier, Vice President of Wallet and Payments at Google. “They’ve partnered with the industry’s best known brands, and their leadership team has played an instrumental role in defining the fast-growing prepaid card segment of emerging payments. In this time, TxVia has also certified and directly connected to the major payment networks, which establishes a solid foundation for Google Wallet and our partners to drive innovation on a global scale and in a partner friendly way.”

    “Finding and purchasing products is a big part of day-to-day life,” adds Bedier “At Google, we’re working to create new ways to improve the commerce experience. We’ve worked closely with TxVia over the last year, and they’re a forward-thinking team that will help us take the next steps in realizing the future of commerce. We welcome the TxVia team to Google.”

    A message on the TxVia site says:

    For more than 5 years, TxVia has been delivering groundbreaking processing solutions to enable new and increasingly complex forms of payment. We’re delighted to announce that as of April 2, 2012, we are continuing that mission at Google.

    Success in payments requires not only innovative technology and operational excellence but also broad collaboration. As part of Google, we look forward to expanding our partnerships with both the payments industry and a wide variety of other organizations that are pioneering a new era of commerce.

    In related news, one of the original engineers behind Google Wallet just quit Google to go to Square, which has its own digital payments offering in Pay With Square. It’s going to be interesting to watch these two companies, along with PayPal and others compete in this space going forward.

  • Google To Android Developers: Use Google Wallet Or Get Delisted

    Google Wallet is a pretty nifty service. I use it for app purchases on my Android, but I can understand why consumers and developers alike would want to avoid using it. It seems that Google isn’t giving them a choice anymore.

    Reuters obtained an email sent from Google to Android app developers that essentially said they had to start using Google Wallet for in-app purchases or get delisted from the Android Market, I mean, Google Play. This would put the Android operating system on par with iOS and its universal use of iTunes for all purchases on the platform.

    The use of Google Wallet does have its drawbacks, however, especially for developers. Google takes a 30 percent cut of any purchases made through Google Wallet. The hope, according to developers, is that more purchases will now be made which will offset the increased cost to them.

    We reached out to Google for comment but have yet to hear back.

    This news follows on the this week’s announcement that the Android Market is now being integrated into Google Play alongside the company’s other services. This makes Android explicitly more of a Google product and app developers having to use Google Wallet for purchases only makes sense.

    Of course, Google Wallet isn’t only used for app purchases. It’s supposed to be the future of buying anything digital or retail – period. Rival services have been popping up recently, however, like PayPal’s efforts at The Home Depot or the recently announced collective of department stores using their own tech.

    This is just pure speculation here, but Google Wallet may only have Android to fall back on if any of these other services take hold. Google is no stranger to failure, but Google Wallet is one of those services that nobody, especially Google, wants to see fail. With it being forced onto Google Play developers and users, it gives Google Wallet the same amount of importance as iTunes. While not as impressive as being the service to herald in the next generation of payment systems, owning its own little corner of the digital retail landscape is proof enough of its success.

    What do you think? Is Google within their right to force app developers to adopt Google Wallet? Or should it be left open to whatever they want to use? Let us know in the comments.

  • Walmart, Target to Compete with Isis, Google Wallet

    Isis and Google Wallet may have some new competition on their hands. Walmart, Target, and about two dozen other retailers are joining forces in the development of a mobile payment system to rival the two. The retailers are unhappy with the way these companies are handling business and want to get in on the fast paced market on their own.

    In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Target said: “We are exploring potential solutions that would help us to deliver the fastest, most secure mobile-payment experience possible for our customers.”

    No details have been released about when it will launch, but they will have to move quickly to compete with Google Wallet. The company has grown by leaps and bounds since it launched last September on the Sprint Nexus S. Since then they claim support from 22 of the largest U.S. Retail chains, allowing users access to over 300,000 MasterCard PayPass-enabled terminals. Just this week they have announced ten new phones that will support the app.

    Isis, the mobile payment system offered by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, has already announced plans to launch its service this summer. Isis, like Google Wallet, will enable consumers to conduct point-of-sale transactions and use loyalty cards via their mobile device carriers.

    More and more retailers are looking for the inside track in an industry that is expected to double or triple in next few years, potentially reaching $670 billion transactions by 2015.

  • Google Wallet Coming to 10 New Sprint Phones

    At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, Google Wallet’s Vice President Osama Bedier stated that Sprint/Nextel would receive ten new phones that support said Google app this year.

    Bedier, speaking at the “Mobile Money: Delivering Innovative Mobile Payment Services” segment, added that Google Wallet will support the new LG Viper, along with other smartphones later. Bedier added that Google is in talks with other carriers, device manufacturers, point-of-sale tech vendors, and various financial institutions in regards to expanding their Near Field Communications system.

    “We believe the ecosystem has taken off,” Beier stated, according to Fiercemobile Content, adding that “tens of thousands of transaction terminals supporting Google Wallet are joining the network every month.” Fiercemobile also cites 22 U.S. retail chains that support Google Wallet – these include Jamba Juice, OfficeMax, American Eagle and Foot Locker, to name a few. There are also 300K Mastercard Paypass terminals, and Bedier pointed out that service is good in convenoence stores, but Google hopes to hopes to expand to more fast food restaurants.

    Isis, the NFC “mobile wallet” joint venture between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will go up against Google Wallet later this year, when trials commence in Salt Lake City and Austin, TX.

    Sprint currently affords Google Wallet to Samsung’s Android-powered Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus users.

  • Google Wallet Restores Prepaid Card Use After Issuing Fixes

    Google Wallet Restores Prepaid Card Use After Issuing Fixes

    After temporarily disabling the provisioning of prepaid cards, the Google Wallet team has reinstated the use prepaid cards after issuing a few security fixes. In an update to the blog post that originally announced Google’s decision to flip the off switch on prepaid cards, Vice President of Google Wallet and Payments, Osama Bedier, explained:

    Yesterday afternoon, we restored the ability to issue new prepaid cards to the Wallet. In addition, we issued a fix that prevents an existing prepaid card from being re-provisioned to another user. While we’re not aware of any abuse of prepaid cards or the Wallet PIN resulting from these recent reports, we took this step as a precaution to ensure the security of our Wallet customers. If you are unable to access your previous prepaid card balance for any reason, please contact our toll-free support for assistance.

    Google Wallet has certainly had it’s share of hurdles to clear recently, what with a gang of researchers successfully hacking the app and then the security issues that were addressed last week. As they mentioned in the original post, mobile payments will likely be the way of the future so this could be a valuable service once the wrinkles are all ironed out. Well, it’ll be useful until we all get those frontal lobe implants that laser credit card numbers at cash registers and check-out screens in order to process our transactions.

  • Google Wallet Security Issue Addressed

    Users have raised security concerns with Google Wallet of late, but Google is assuring users it is perfectly safe to use your credit card with.

    Osama Bedier, Vice President of Google Wallet and Payments, wrote a blog post late Friday night, saying:

    First, Google Wallet is protected by a PIN — as well as the phone’s lock screen, if a user sets that option. But sometimes users choose to disable important security mechanisms in order to gain system-level “root” access to their phone; we strongly discourage doing so if you plan to use Google Wallet because the product is not supported on rooted phones. That’s why in most cases, rooting your phone will cause your Google Wallet data to be automatically wiped from the device.

    Second, we also take concrete actions to help protect our users. For example, to address an issue that could have allowed unauthorized use of an existing prepaid card balance if someone recovered a lost phone without a screen lock, tonight we temporarily disabled provisioning of prepaid cards. We took this step as a precaution until we issue a permanent fix soon.

    And just like with any other credit card, you can get support when you need it. We provide toll-free assistance in case you lose your phone or someone manages to make an unauthorized transaction.

    Google’s update seems to come in response to an incident where TheSmartphoneChamp.com exposed a major vulnerability:

  • Google Wallet Hacked By Researchers!!!

    Researchers have been working with Google Wallet, and yesterday they outlined a complex way to crack Wallet’s PIN. This leaves the funds connected to the number vulnerable to theft. The researchers report that the hack job doesn’t require any special tools or software or even any special skill for that matter.

    The method requires only that a user clear the data for the Google Wallet app in the phone’s applications settings menu and then enter a new pin when prompted to do so. This is the second security problem that has been reported with Google Wallet. Users might want to think twice about keeping this thing around.

    Update: Google responds.

  • Google Wallet On Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S (AT&T), According to Reports

    Google Wallet On Galaxy Nexus, Nexus S (AT&T), According to Reports

    Several reports have come out indicating that AT&T has quietly begun allowing users of the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S NFC-enabled smartphones to download Google Wallet.

    Slashgear reports that the download requires that an AT&T SIM be loaded into the phone.

    Google has made it clear in the past that it has big plans for Google Wallet, so any blocking by carriers is a huge pain in the butt for the company. For one, Google has already rolled Google Checkout into Google Wallet. It’s also an important product to the expansion of Google Offers, the company’s Groupon clone, which continues to frequently launch in new markets. This could turn into a significant provider of revenue for the company.

    Verizon had blocked Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus, though they didn’t like to use the word “blocking”. Verizon put out a statement that said:

    Recent reports that Verizon is blocking Google Wallet on our devices are false. Verizon does not block applications.

    Google Wallet is different from other widely-available m-commerce services. Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications. Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones.

    We are continuing our commercial discussions with Google on this issue.

    Still, there has been healthy skepticism about that explanation, given Verizon’s investor role in ISIS, a competing payment service, which AT&T and T-Mobile also invest in.

    Since then, hacks have been revealed to get Google Wallet on Verizon, but nothing official.

    In fact, while the app has reportedly appeared in the Android Market on AT&T, there hasn’t been any official acknowledgement of this by either Google or AT&T, interestingly.

  • Hack Brings Google Wallet to Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus

    When the Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched on Verizon’s network late last week, it did so without Google Wallet, Google’s much anticipated mobile payment platform. Verizon blocked the app on the device, citing vague security concerns about the platform’s integration with the phone’s hardware. Despite a report from a security firm suggesting that Google Wallet really does have security issues, many speculated that Verizon was trying to kill Google Wallet in order to make room for ISIS, a mobile payment platform co-founded by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

    Unfortunately for Verizon, though, Android has a thriving community of people who specialize getting features on their phones that they aren’t supposed to have. The result is a fairly easy process that allows users to install Google Wallet on their phones – and a $10 prepaid MasterCard, to boot. While Google’s vision for Google Wallet is that it be tightly integrated into the hardware – specifically the near field communication equipment – the hack installs it just like any other app, though reports seem to be that it works just as well.

    There is no word yet on when, or if, Verizon will officially be bringing Google Wallet to the Galaxy Nexus. Nor do we know yet if AT&T and T-Mobile will follow Verizon’s lead in shutting Google out of the very lucrative mobile payment market by blocking Google Wallet on their versions of the device as well. If they do, we can be sure that it won’t keep determined users from getting it anyway, thanks to Android’s determined rooting community.

    Meanwhile, Verizon’s blocking of Google Wallet strikes many on Twitter as a dirty trick.

    @vanschewick
    Barbara van Schewick    Verizon’s blocking of GoogleWallet hurts consumers,competition&innovation in mobilepayments&apps.@FCC shouldinvestigate http://t.co/Ee6S78L9 4 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    @TaliaGold
    Talia Goldberg    If Verizon blocking Google Wallet is legal, then something must change. FCC really should investigate… http://t.co/7ggPD7If 45 minutes ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    [Source: BGR]

  • Google Wallet Not Secure Enough, Says Digital Forensics Firm

    In September Google released their new Google Wallet, an Android app designed to take advantage of the near-field communication technology that is present in an increasing number of Android-based smartphones. The app stores usernames, passwords, and credit card data in order to allow users to pay for transactions in physical stores by swiping their phones in front of NFC-enabled readers like those compatible with MasterCard’s PayPass service.

    Last week, however, reports surfaced that Verizon would not be allowing Google Wallet on the Google Nexus phones it sells. The announcement created a storm of controversy, which Verizon tried to quell by releasing a vaguely worded statement citing nebulous security concerns. Speculation at the time was that Verizon was blocking the app in order to buy time for ISIS, an NFC payment system being launched as a joint venture of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. It remains unclear whether AT&T and T-Mobile, which are also due to get the Google Nexus, will allow the app on their devices.

    Now, however, it looks as though the security concerns cited by Verizon – whether they are the company’s real reason for blocking Google Wallet or not – may have some validity. Digital forensics and security company ViaForensics released the results of a study yesterday into the security of Google Wallet. The company conducted a detailed analysis of the data stored and sent by the app. The analysis found several grave security concerns in terms of the information the app stores. Although the app does encrypt credit card numbers, it stores a surprising amount of data in unsecured format. Credit card balances, expiration dates, credit limits, transaction history (including location) and more. It also stores the cardholder’s name, email address, and the last four digits of the card number. It also publishes a considerable amount of data to Google Analytics, in a way that the study found could be intercepted.

    Google Wallet Report

    The study concludes that Google Wallet does a fair job of keeping certain information secure – namely, credit card numbers. All the other data stored by the app, however, “pretty much everything except the first 12 digits of your credit card,” is stored unencrypted on the phone. The amount of data that is kept unencrypted is enough that “an attacker is well armed for a social engineering attack.”

    The report concludes that further, more in-depth security analysis of the software is warranted. While the author expresses excitement about the potential of NFC technology, he also says that “the amount of unencrypted data store[d] by Google Wallet surpasses what we believe most consumers find acceptable.”

  • Galaxy Nexus Won’t Get Google Wallet, At Least Right Away

    Update: 9to5Google is sharing a new statement from Verizon:

    Recent reports that Verizon is blocking Google Wallet on our devices are false. Verizon does not block applications.

    Google Wallet is different from other widely-available m-commerce services. Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications. Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones.

    We are continuing our commercial discussions with Google on this issue.

    Google Wallet is shaping up to be a potentially very important product for Google. Last month, the company even announced that it was shutting down Google Checkout, its payments product, in favor of Google Wallet. Google’s goal is to build “one wallet”.

    Well, if that’s the wallet you want to use, you better not get a Verizon Galaxy Nexus, because Verizon won’t allow it. JR Raphael has confirmation from a Google spokesperson that the device will not include Google Wallet because of Verizon, which is working on its own NFC-based payment service. He notes that this may or may not be the reason.

    Based on a report from Amir Efrati at the Wall Street Journal, it sounds like Verizon may not want to preload the app on the phone, but isn’t opposed to letting users download it in the future. Google told the WSJ that users won’t be able to download it through the Android Market on the device, but Verizon said that it’s working out “security and other issues around mobile payments,” with a Verizon spokesperson adding, “”We’re working to provide expanded services that will provide the best security and user experience in the market around m-commerce. “We expect to provide access to an open wallet when those goals are achieved.”

    Efrati cites a “person familiar with the matter” as saying Verizon won’t prevent users from downloading Google Wallet when it’s cleared.

    So far, the Google Wallet can only be installed on the Nexus S 4G from Sprint, according to the product’s FAQ page. It says that “potentially over time” it will be available for other mobile devices and platforms. Thanks to Verizon, it looks like the ambitious product might get off to something of a rocky start.

    Google hasn’t been shy about getting Google Wallet merchants on board, despite the products lack of compatible devices. Places that already accept Google Wallet include: American Eaagle, Macy’s Champs, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic, Foot Locker, Old Navy, Toys R Us, OtficeMax, Guess, Jamba Juice, and others. Chevron and Subway are among merchants listed as “coming soon”.

    The Galaxy Nexus is expected to be released this month. It looks like Best Buy will have it in their hands on December 11. Some rumors have its release as soon as this Friday.

  • Google Checkout Dropped for Google Wallet

    (more…)

  • Google Wallet Adds Featured Offers, More Partners Live

    Google Wallet officially launched about a month ago on the Sprint Nexus S 4G. Today, Google announced that more Google Wallet Merchants are now live.

    American Eagle Outfitters, The Container Store, Foot Locker, Guess, Jamba Juice, Macy’s, OfficeMax and Toys “R” us are now letting consumers pay, redeem coupons, and/or earn rewards points using Google Wallet’s “SingleTap” experience.

    Google has also added a feature to the “Offers” tab in Google Wallet called “Featured Offers”. This shows discounts that are exclusive to Google Wallet.

    “Organizing loyalty cards in your wallet is getting easier too,” says Google’s Director, Emerging Markets, Spencer Spinnell. “Today, Foot Locker, Guess, OfficeMax and American Eagle Outfitters are providing loyalty cards for Google Wallet so you can rack up reward points automatically as you shop. More of these are on the way.”

    “One more thing—in response to user feedback, we’ve improved transaction details for the Google Prepaid Card with real-time transaction information including merchant name, location, dollar value and time of each transaction,” adds Spinnell.

  • Steve Jobs Song Created With Only Apple Sounds, Plus More iPhone 4S Siri Fun

    Today’s video round-up is mostly Steve Jobs and Siri-related, but there are also a couple Google-related videos worth watching, and well as one from Sophos on identity theft.

    View more daily video round-ups here.

    A song created as a tribute to Steve Jobs, the creator of which claims to have only used sounds from Apple products and Steve’s voice:

    More Steve Jobs tribute in the form of post-its:

    This guy demos some various Siri tricks:

    Two Siris confuse each other:

    iPhone 4S vs. Samsung Galaxy S II drop test:

    Matt Cutts talks about Google’s approach to customer service:

    Security firm Sophos looks at “how to steal an identity”:

    Google Wallet in action:

  • Google Wallet Launches (Officially)

    Update: Google has now gone ahead and officially announced the launch of Google Wallet, complete with another video. Google VP of Payments Osama Bedier writes:

    We’ve been testing it extensively, and today we’re releasing the first version of the app to Sprint. That means we’re beginning to roll out Google Wallet to all Sprint Nexus S 4G phones through an over-the-air update—just look for the “Wallet” app.

    …

    When we announced Google Wallet, we pledged a commitment to an open commerce ecosystem. We appreciate Citi and MasterCard for being our launch partners. And today, Visa, Discover and American Express have made available their NFC specifications that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.

    Google Wallet is launching today, it would seem. Google hasn’t made the official announcement just yet, but it’s expected anytime now.

    MG Siegler got ahold of a document that were reportedly sent to partners. In the document, which he provides a picture of, it says:

    Google Wallet is launching September 19, 2011. Google Wallet is a smart phone application (app) that allows owners of the Sprint Nexus S Android phone to use their smart phone as a wallet. This application or app will transform the way clients pay. Once Google Wallet is installed, the Sprint Nexus S phone may be used as a contactless (Tap and Pay) device at all PayPass enabled merchant terminals. Google Wallet is currently only available with Nexus S Android phones running Android Operating System (OS) 2.3.4 (Gingerbread).

    Here’s the video Google provided back when they announced Google Wallet:

    Here’s a teaser they put out a few days ago, featuring George Costanza from Seinfeld:

    GigaOm found a Google Wallet logo on a MasteCard PayPass NFC reader at Peet’s Coffee in San Francisco, seemingly providing more confirmation that Google Wallet is launching.

    More when the official announcement comes.

    Until then, here are 43 things you should know about Google Wallet.

  • Google Buys DailyDeal

    While others in the space seem to have scaled back a bit in the daily deals department (see Facebook and Yelp), Google continues to amp up its efforts.

    Since news that Facebook was ending its Deals offering (though keeping check-in deals) and Yelp was cutting back its Deals positions, Google has plugged Google Offers on the Google home page and launched the product in more markets.

    Now, Google has purchased DailyDeal, a daily deals service from Germany. A message on the DailyDeal site says:

    When DailyDeal was founded in Berlin back in December 2009, there was just two of us. Since then, we have seen tremendous growth, as people throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland have used DailyDeal to find local deals on their favorite restaurants, travel destinations, entertainment venues and retail outlets.

    Our team has grown too, and with it, our vision for DailyDeal. We see great opportunity to better connect businesses with consumers on a much larger scale, and we have found a team that shares our vision.

    That’s why we’re excited to announce that we’ve been acquired by Google! What began as a two-person startup less than two years ago has transformed into a trusted platform to connect businesses with consumers. By combining our expertise with the Offers team at Google, we hope to expand our efforts to provide even greater deals to consumers.

    The DailyDeal team

    On top of that, while the official announcement has yet to come out, Google Wallet is said to be launching today. This product should be a key weapon in Google’s arsenal of products that can help Google Offers thrive.