Everyone and their grandmothers are attempting to add the ability to transfer money into their respective applications. Google is no exception and is now attempting to capitalize upon the same by integrating Google Wallet with its Android application. Today onwards, Gmail users on Android will be able to send or request money from literally anyone .
Apparently, Google’s focus has been on making things as simple as possible. The company wants the experience of exchanging money as simple as attaching a file. And it literally works along the same lines. Simply tap the paperclip (that allows you to attach files) and then choose to send or request money from whoever you want.
Google Wallet has actually been closely integrated with Gmail on the web since a few years already. However, this new integration makes things even easier while also giving Android users another compelling reason to use Google Wallet — a service that has hitherto been mostly ignored by Android users.
Unlike many of Google’s other offerings, Google Wallet isn’t something that stays up front and center on you Android smartphone. For whatever reasons, Google decided against espousing its payments service the same way it propagates many of its other applications — by forcing manufacturers to pack them into their smartphones out of the box. Now though, users will be able to transfer money through Gmail, which is used by many if only because it is an accessory to deploy the Android platform to its fullest potential. That could very well lead to an increase in the number of transaction.
However, you do not need to have Google Wallet installed upon your device — everything takes place through Gmail. What’s more, there are no transaction fees involved and the recipient can also arrange to have the amount received transfered directly to his/her bank account.
The new money exchange feature is available in the U.S. on both the web and the Android platform. With this, Google joins the ranks of Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, WeChat — all of which have started supporting money transactions in-app. There is a huge market there and although Google is capitalizing late despite an early start, the company has advantages that no one else has — advantages derived in part, from being the progenitor of the Android platform.
Meanwhile, the next time a friend claims they have been meaning to pay you back for that restaurant bill you had decided to split evenly, but they keep forgetting — send them an e-mail and tell them to cough up right there and then.
