Apple Pay allows you to make mobile payments with your Apple Watch, and now it looks like Google’s Android Pay will also be getting this feature on supported smartwatches with Android Wear.
Google is apparently adding tap to pay to Android Wear in the near future, as the guys from Android Police have discovered.
Discoveries in Google Play Services
References to a new Tap ‘n Pay feature with Android Wear have been discovered in the Google Play services v10.0 APK. This suggests that Google could be getting ready to release the feature. The inclusion of this feature in the APK indicates that Google is actively working on integrating mobile payment capabilities directly into Android Wear, which would allow users to make payments simply by tapping their smartwatch on a payment terminal.
This move would bring Android Wear in line with other smartwatch platforms that already support mobile payments, such as Apple’s watchOS and Samsung’s Tizen OS. The ability to make payments using a smartwatch adds a significant level of convenience for users, as it eliminates the need to pull out a smartphone or wallet when making purchases.
Potential Impact and Future Developments
As yet, there are no details on when Android Pay will get the tap to pay feature on Android Wear smartwatches. However, the discovery in the APK suggests that the feature could be released soon. This development is particularly exciting for Android Wear users who have been waiting for more advanced features to be added to their devices.
The addition of tap to pay could also encourage more people to adopt Android Wear smartwatches, as mobile payments are becoming increasingly popular. With the rise of contactless payment methods, having the ability to pay with a smartwatch could be a significant selling point for Android Wear devices.
Moreover, this feature could pave the way for other advancements in smartwatch technology. For example, we might see more integration with other Google services, such as Google Assistant, which could allow users to perform a variety of tasks directly from their smartwatch. Additionally, the introduction of tap to pay could lead to further enhancements in security features, ensuring that users’ payment information is protected.
In the broader context of mobile payments, the inclusion of tap to pay on Android Wear could also drive competition among smartwatch manufacturers and payment service providers. This competition could lead to more innovative features and better user experiences, ultimately benefiting consumers.
As soon as we get some more details, we will let you guys know. The anticipation for this feature is high, and it will be interesting to see how Google implements it and how it will be received by the public.
Source Android Police, Ubergizmo
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