Android Pay, the new payment platform of Google and rival to both Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, has started to roll out today. Android Pay enables consumers to pay for in-app purchases on Android devices and to make purchases at more than a million locations in the United States, which include big name brands such as Best Buy, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, McDonald's, Subway, Toys R Us, Walgreens, Whole Foods and many more. In the next few months, it will also roll out to more banks and stores. Moreover, Android Pay will allow its users to keep their credit card details, loyalty cards and other data on the phone. Android Pay can be used with Google's KitKat 4.4+ operating system or through smartphones with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, a set of protocols that allows electronic devices to establish radio communication with each other by touching the devices together or bringing them into proximity
Google Wallet users will be able to access Android Pay through an update of their previously installed Wallet app. As to the new users, Android Pay can be downloaded on Google Play. However, unlike with Google Wallet which mobile carriers resisted because of their interest in their own payment system - Softcard, previously known as Isis, this time Google was able to partner with mobile operators for Android Pay.
Android Pay, the latest addition to Google's services was announced as early as May during the Mobile World Congress and later on its details were released at Google's annual I/O developer conference.
Android Pay's launching came at this perfect time that mobile payments have flourished in the market. The said market is estimated to be worth $1trillion or £650 billion by 2017 as technology companies try to convince shoppers to utilize their handsets, instead of their plastic cards, when paying for their purchases.