Sprint And Google Launch NFC "Wallet" Payments On Nexus S 4G

An easier way to pay? Depends on how many merchants sign up, how many phone makers sign up, and how many phones ship with an NFC module within. But this is one heck of a start. Google and Sprint just announced a monumental launch for Google Wallet, the NFC-based pay system that is launching exclusively on the Nexus S 4G to start. Google Wallet was actually "announced" back in May, with Citi, MasterCard, Sprint and First Data onboard. But up until now, only private testing has been going on. Now, the company's releasing a new build of Android (v2.3.7) that brings it to all public Nexus S 4G users. The software will begin to rollout today via an over-the-air update, with users seeing a new "Wallet" app once their update installs.

Google Wallet enables you to pay with your Citi MasterCard credit card and the Google Prepaid Card, which can be funded with any of your existing plastic credit cards. In fact, Google is providing a $10 bonus to the Google Prepaid Card if you set it up in Google Wallet before the end of the year. Google is planning to support additional cards beyond the Citi MasterCard and Prepaid MasterCard, but no details are out yet. Security is obviously a top priority here, and the setup will require users to establish a Google Wallet PIN that must be entered before making a purchase to prevent unauthorized access and payments.


To find a participating merchant, customers can use MasterCard’s PayPass locator app for Android or visit http://www.google.com/wallet/where-it-works.html. So, are you eager to get started with the future of payments? Or are you just wondering when it'll come to your phone, carrier and operating system?

Sprint Launches First Google Wallet

Nexus S 4G is the first smartphone with Google Wallet; users can now make their phones their wallet and make purchases with a single tap using NFC

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE: S) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced the rollout of Google Wallet to all Nexus S 4G customers – an app that enables consumers to transform their phones into their wallets and make purchases with a simple tap. Sprint is the first carrier and Nexus S 4G is the first phone in the United States to deliver this convenient, innovative service that lets shoppers tap-to-pay at hundreds of thousands of participating retailers, including American Eagle Outfitters, the Container Store, Macy’s, Foot Locker and Subway.

    “Shipping Google Wallet to Sprint is a crucial first step in creating a new way for people to use their phones to make shopping faster and easier”

“Sprint is thrilled to be the first U.S. carrier to offer Google Wallet,” said Fared Adib, vice president of Product at Sprint. “Nexus S 4G is the first to receive new versions of Android software, and today’s upgrade puts the near-field communications, or NFC, chip in the phone to work so customers can have a secure virtual wallet on their phone. NFC capabilities on smartphones open the door to a new level of convenience and security.”

Google Wallet is a free Android app that stores virtual versions of a customer’s credit cards, offers and loyalty cards right on the one device they always have with them – their phone. At launch today, Google Wallet supports Citi® MasterCard® credit cards and the Google Prepaid MasterCard, powered by First Data. Google plans to support additional cards.

Google Wallet is designed to enable safe, secure payments. It requires users to set up a Google Wallet PIN that must be entered before making a purchase to prevent unauthorized access and payments.

“Shipping Google Wallet to Sprint is a crucial first step in creating a new way for people to use their phones to make shopping faster and easier,” said Osama Bedier, vice president of Payments at Google. “The world is on the brink of the next big shift in payments, and today’s announcement demonstrates that we’re making real progress in attaining the vision we share with our partners for a new and innovative mobile payments platform. We believe this is just the beginning of a transformation that’s soon to come.”

To find a participating merchant, customers can use MasterCard’s PayPass locator app for Android or visit http://www.google.com/wallet/where-it-works.html.

How to Get Google Wallet

Eligible Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be prompted to download the latest version of Android software. Once this download is complete, customers can launch the Wallet app to try it.

Nexus S 4G from Sprint

Featuring the blazing speeds of Sprint 4G and a pure Google experience with Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, Nexus S 4G is available today in Sprint stores and through www.Sprint.com for $49.99 with eligible upgrade or new two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1 (pricing excludes taxes). Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of the Sprint Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges).