News - Google Wallet takes first tentative steps

[HEXUS]

Visa and Amex join the party, but it’s still only available to a select few.

Read more.

[crossy]

Hopefully GoogleUK are talking to Barclaycard, since they're the ones that I see pushing NFC the most over here. Both my local Macdonalds and Greggs have the "readers" (I'm assuming that's what they're called - the bit that the merchant uses), although the lass in Greggs was saying that they've not got theirs enabled - should be 6-8 weeks.

Personally I'm in two minds whether NFC is a good idea or not - certainly not in the "merely swipe it and you've paid" way that some of the pundits are proposing. I much prefer the idea of having to type some pin, or confirm the transaction in some way. Heck, credit card skimming is/was rife, so I shudder to think of the abuses that this could be susceptible to.

I know, I'm an old guy who obviously doesn't "get" all this modern technology...

[Noxvayl]

@ crossy: I agree with you, except for the last sentence.


It's good to be sceptical about new things promoted to us because they invariably only provide a limited view of the item to persuade you. I personally prefer to draw cash if I'm going into a shop, it limits me to a certain amount to spend, prevents data collection about what I'm purchasing and is just as easy as these swipe systems.

I guess things would be very different if our society was equal, wouldn't need to worry about people stealing as much. Until then I'll remain cautious.

[Saracen]

.....

I personally prefer to draw cash if I'm going into a shop, it limits me to a certain amount to spend, prevents data collection about what I'm purchasing and is just as easy as these swipe systems.

....

And it has the added advantage, though I guess many people won't care about it, that if you pay in cash, neither the shop, card company nor Google can data-profile your spending habits (assuming you also avoid store "reward" cards as well, and I do).

Cash is my preferred method for all standard, run-of-the-mill regular purchases, and I only divert even to credit card as and when the extra layer of consumer protection makes it worthwhile. Mobile wallet? Not for me, thanks.

[Funkstar]

I like the idea of a mobile wallet for small value items. Cafe Nero have had the readers for ages now, no idea if any of them are enabled though. I hate having change in my pockets, so I end up having to break a note for a coffee and end up with a scabby fiver and a bunch of smush.

Parking meters would be good with NFC as well, the amount of times I've had to run the gauntlet of getting a ticket or go buy something just to get some change. I'm also more likely to leave my wallet at home than my phone these days.

I wouldn't use this for large purchases, but I would be tempted to use it for small incidentals, perhaps teamed with a pre-paid account or something.