An alternative to credit cards has been launched by Google in the form of its Google Wallet.
The application works by turning a mobile phone handset into a wallet, allowing consumers to tap, pay and save by using the near field communication (NFC) system. At the moment, the app is only being rolled out on the Sprint Nexus S 4G phones, but this is likely to be extended in the future.
In order to benefit from the convenient system, users will need a Citi MasterCard credit card or a Google Prepaid Card. The latter of these can be funded using any existing cards and early adaptors will benefit from a free cash bonus if they sign up before the end of the year.
However, in the future the Google Wallet app will be available with American Express, Visa and Discover accounts. In the long-term, the firm claims that it wants to make it possible for consumers to add all of their payment cards to the app so that carrying a traditional wallet is no longer necessary.
For now, however, the changes are still quite early on in development with this launch following a testing period with employees.
