Tim
A report from the Wall Street Journal claims Google is looking to revamp Google Wallet this year, making it a true competitor to Apple Pay. In order to do so, Google will go to great lengths, even offering US carriers a portion of revenue from mobile advertising in exchange for featuring the payment method prominently on all Android devices sold.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that carriers always want a piece of the action. If they can’t, then they will go to great lengths to stop money from being made, just as saw with the apparent blockage of Google Wallet at the carrier level. Google seems so set on getting Google Wallet back into the ring against Apple Pay that reports surfaced rumoring the company was looking to purchase carrier-backed Softcard.
Without diving too deep into the politics, for Google to make money, they would have to share the revenue from which they make. In order to make any money at all, they will need carrier partners to get Google Wallet into the hands of as many people as possible.
Google I/O is just around the corner in May, making it the perfect venue for an announcement such as this.
Shoot your thoughts below on Google Wallet.
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