Sprint and Google have rolled out “Google Wallet" to Nexus S 4G customers.
The app lets customers use their smartphones as wallets, making purchases at hundreds of thousands of participating retailers by tapping their phone, the companies announced Monday. A free Android application, Google Wallet stores virtual versions of a customer’s credit card and requires users to establish a Google Wallet PIN before making a purchase in order to prevent unauthorized access and payments.
“Shipping Google Wallet to Sprint is a crucial first step in creating a new way for people to use their phones to make shopping faster and easier," said Osama Bedier, vice president of Payments at Google, in a statement. “The world is on the brink of the next big shift in payments, and today’s announcement demonstrates that we’re making real progress in attaining the vision we share with our partners for a new and innovative mobile payments platform. We believe this is just the beginning of a transformation that’s soon to come."
Sprint, the third-largest U.S. wireless provider, said it is the first carrier to offer Google Wallet, which supports Citi MasterCard credit cards and the Google Prepaid Mastercard. Google plans to support additional credit cards.
“Nexus S 4G is the first to receive new versions of Android software, and today’s upgrade puts the near-field communications, or NFC, chip in the phone to work so customers can have a secure virtual wallet on their phone," said Fared Adib, Sprint’s vice president of product.
In order to try Google Wallet, Sprint Nexus S 4G customers who are eligible for the app will first have to download the latest version of Android software.
Participating retailers include American Eagle Outfitters, the Container Store, Macy's, Foot Locker and Subway.
