Google has merged its online payment service, Google Checkout, with its mobile payment system, Google Wallet to create a single payment platform.
The search engine giant said the integration of the two payment platforms will provide a single payment method for Android Market, YouTube, Google+ and other Google sites.
Google Wallet was introduced earlier this year and uses near field communication (NFC) to make secure mobile payments simply tapping the phone on any PayPass-enabled terminal.
Ben Lee, product manager for Google Wallet, said in a blog post that Google Wallet will start to
be used for online payments too. While the full transition will take time, Checkout customers can
now start to manage Checkout accounts via Google
Wallet.
“Shoppers using Google Wallet will be able to make purchases seamlessly on merchant sites that
accept Google Checkout. Early next year, we will work closely with our merchant partners to switch
to the Google Wallet logo and share details on new and upcoming features,” said Ben Lee, product
manager for Google Wallet in a
blog post.
Google Checkout accounts will automatically move to Google Wallet when customers next sign-in or make a purchase.
As part of the changes, Google are also expanding the features of its Wallet service to improve
payments via mobile websites.
Earlier this month, the Mobile Money Network (MMN)launched
instant mobile checkout, Simply Tap, in several retailers across the UK.
