Oh my….I have forgotten my wallet in my other purse! I am already in line and getting ready to pay…this is so embarrassing I wish there was a way I could pay with my phone- since I never leave home without that!!

Well look here- Google has just become a gals’ best friend!  They came up with a solution for my inability to keep my wallet with me at all times. Google Wallet is coming soon to Android which will eventually take away the need for my old bulky wallet that I can never remember!

Here are some features of what to expect:

When Google Wallet launches, it will support these cards:

• Citi® MasterCard®
• the Google Prepaid Card
• gift cards at participating merchants

Offers and Loyalty

• Redeeming Google Offers
• At most stores, simply show your offer to the cashier at check out. The cashier will either scan the offer’s barcode or manually type it in.
• At participating Google SingleTap™ merchants, you can pay and redeem your offer in a single tap via NFC.

Finding Google Offers
Google Offers are available in different Google products, such as Google Search, Maps, Latitude, and Shopper. You can also learn more about the Google Offer of the Day at Google offers

Loyalty cards

• Google Wallet can store your loyalty cards for participating SingleTap merchants. When you tap to pay at a SingleTap merchant, Google Wallet transmits your loyalty account information to the terminal so that you earn rewards for your purchase.
• We’re working with merchants to help them support offer redemption and loyalty via near field communication.

Security

• e Wallet requires you to set up a Google Wallet PIN that must be entered before making a purchase. This PIN prevents unauthorized access and payments via Google Wallet. Android phones also feature a separate lock screen.
• Secure technology
• Google Wallet and MasterCard PayPass™ provide many layers of security.
• Google Wallet stores your encrypted payment card credentials on a computer chip on your phone called the Secure Element. Think of the Secure Element as a separate computer, capable of running programs and storing data. The Secure Element is separate from your Android phone’s memory. The chip is designed to only allow trusted programs on the Secure Element itself to access the payment credentials stored therein.
• The secure encryption technology of MasterCard PayPass protects your payment card credentials as they are transferred from the phone to the contactless reader.
• What to do if your phone is lost or stolen:  Even though the Google Wallet PIN and Secure Element protect your payment card information, you should still call your issuing banks to cancel your cards.

This is a whole new break through in cell phone technology. I really hope that there are participating stores in your area, so when the app launches you can start using it right away. To check for participating locations click here: Location finder

When Google Wallet is out I am going to download it right away so I can never leave home with out my cards again!