Google today updated its Google Wallet app, adding several new features including gift card support and a new request money option.

New gift card management options join loyalty cards within the Google Wallet app, allowing users to store gift card information directly in the app. Gift cards can be redeemed in stores with the app, making it unnecessary to hold onto physical cards.

googlewalletgiftcard
Gift cards can be added manually or using the device's camera and for cards from participating retailers like AMC, Best Buy, Nike, and more, users are able to check gift card balance in real time and get location-based reminders to use cards when in a store.

It's now possible to use the Google Wallet app to request money from friends and family, sending a notification with an attached message.

For all those times when your friends forget to pay you back for dinner, you can simply request money using the Google Wallet app (for U.S. users, 18 years and older). They will receive a notification and can instantly pay you back. If they need a reminder, you can send them a friendly nudge from within the app. You can also send your friends a message right within Gmail, and request money just like you would attach a picture.

Finally, Google has introduced a Spanish language option and made it free to send money in the app when using a debit card. Previously, sending money required a 2.9 percent transaction fee from both a credit card and a debit card.

Google Wallet can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

outphase Avatar
outphase
113 months ago
Yeah, and Venmo, etc. There are a million of these things. Did you get paid to write this?
Nope. Venmo is also owned by eBay so I didn't mention it. Did you get paid to write that?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
John.B
113 months ago
Creepy Google is creepy. I'm not about to turn over detailed purchase history to the likes of Eric Schmidt, Larry Page, or their minions.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefourthpope Avatar
thefourthpope
113 months ago
Check out Square Cash. It's from the company that makes iPhone/iPad credit card readers. You link your debit card and you can send money to other people and have it auto-credited to your bank account without a separate account that holds the money until you withdraw like PayPal. You get $1 free just for signing up.

Non-referral link (http://square.com/cash/)

Nice to know about, thanks.
Still feels dirty giving google ALL of my info. Better to spread it out amongst the internet myself.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Yvan256 Avatar
Yvan256
113 months ago
Google Wallet only works in a handful of countries.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kuwxman Avatar
kuwxman
113 months ago
Yeah but I can pay for my Starbucks with Passbook = True innovation ;)

:rolleyes: You could use Google Wallet to do the same on the iPhone if Apple wasn't so far behind the times with NFC technology. Android users have been able to pay for things with their phones for years.

----------

Creepy Google is creepy. I'm not about to turn over detailed purchase history to the likes of Eric Schmidt, Larry Page, or their minions.
There is always at least one of you per thread...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iOSaddict Avatar
iOSaddict
113 months ago
People use Google Wallet?

Apart from the Android crowd, is there anyone out there who actually uses this? lol
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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