Google has announced new updates to Google Pay that allow people to send peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, store tickets and boarding passes, and manage their payment information.
Previously, P2P money transfers had to be done through a separate app, Google Pay Send, but Google is now combining the two apps. This enables users in the US (and soon in the UK) to send or request money through Google Pay.
You can also ask friends to pay their share of a bill if you paid with Google Pay. Just tap on a recent purchase and instantly request money from up to five people.
Another new feature, an Android exclusive, allows users to save mobile tickets and boarding passes in the app, alongside loyalty cards and gift cards.
Available on the app’s new Passes tab, these can be used to access your concert or flight using your phone as your ticket.
Initial partners include Ticketmaster and Southwest Airlines, but Google also plans to add Eventbrite, Singapore Airlines, Spanish low-cost airline Vueling, and other organisations.
Google has also made it easier to manage all your payment information through the app or on the web at pay.google.com.
“Everything is synced with your Google Account, so if you update your payment info on the web, it’ll be reflected on your phone,” explained Gerardo Capiel, director of product management for consumer payments at Google. “Plus, if you download the app, you’ll be able to quickly set up eligible cards saved to your Google Account to pay with your phone in stores.”
Tags: Mobile, Smart phones, Mobile payments, payments regulation, mobile retail
