Google has just flipped the switch on Google Wallet, the system that lets you pay for purchases with your NFC enabled phone. Currently the only phone capable of using it is the Sprint Nexus S 4G, which is currently receiving an OTA update with the Wallet application. Aside from only one phone supporting Wallet, you currently can only use a Citi Mastercard or Google prepaid card to fund your Wallet. Add that in with a very small amount of place that can actually accept NFC payments, and it makes for a ho-hum rollout. However Google is working with Visa, Discover and Amex to make future versions support any credit card:
Google Wallet enables you to pay with your Citi MasterCard credit card and the Google Prepaid Card, which can be funded with any of your existing plastic credit cards. As a thanks to early adopters, we’re adding a $ 10 free bonus to the Google Prepaid Card if you set it up in Google Wallet before the end of the year.
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.
To learn more about Google Wallet, watch the video below or check out google.com/wallet.
Source: The Android Site
