Google Could Launch Mobile Payment Trials This Week

Google is reportedly planning to jump-start mobile payments with a press event this Thursday, followed by a trial service in five major U.S. cities. Bloomberg cites peoplefamiliarwith the matter who have provided this information and indicates that Sprints Nexus S could be the initial handset for mobile payment trials. The Android phone, also available as a GSM model for T-Mobiles network since December, is equipped with a near field communications (NFC) wireless chip, making it well suited for mobile payments.Well be inattendanceat Googles press event, having received our invite a short time ago.

Bloombergs sources suggest that hardware and software from both VeriFone and ViVoTech will be used for the wireless payments. In theory, passing an NFC-equipped handset such as the Google Nexus S near a wireless reader would be akin to swiping a credit card in a point-of-sale terminal for a purchase. Coincidentally, I just noticed completely new VeriFone terminals at my local McDonalds a few hours ago: I dont live in the anticipated trial locations, but the hardware change gave me pause. And I used an NFC-equipped credit card to make my purchase wirelessly, which leveraged MasterCards PayPass technology in the VeriFone terminal. I wouldnt be surprised to hear that MasterCard is involved on Thursday; the company offers a mobile provisioning solution that just saw its first customer earlier this month! .

Although Google is among the first to bring NFC capabilities to a handset earlier Nokia phones have had NFC chips its almost ironic that Google Android may be the mobile platform to kickstart mobile payments. One of the long-standing complaints about its Android Market is that its not easy to make payments, at least when compared to Apples iTunes App Store. For iOS devices Apple has a credit card on file, so one click purchases are a simple matter. Google accepts credit cards, but the perception remains that Google isnt a leader when it comes to mobile payments. Perhaps that general perception will change later this week.

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