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NFC mobile payment ‘Google Wallet’ confirmed for Thursday press event

Yesterday we wrote about a Google rumor that had to do with mobile payments being introduced on May 26. It has been confirmed with a memo that tomorrow the search engine giant will be unveiling its service which will be called Google Wallet.

According to a memo from The Container Store which was published by Thisismynext.com, this summer will be when Google launches their test for contactless payment through mobile device. The fine details aren’t certain, though it’s most likely that Google will be partnering with Sprint and be using the Nexus S. The rumors say that Sprint phones with NFC chips will allow customers to pay with their phones at POS. Consumers will be able to tap their phone on a specialized reader at checkout and be on their way. It is also rumored that Citigroup and MasterCard have collaborated with the Google project.

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The company plans on announcing the retailers who will be participating in the test at this Thursday’s press event in New York. Macy’s and American Eagle’s in those cities may be among retailers introducing a near-field communication (NFC) reader. Though the memo doesn’t say, Google reportedly will be introducing the service in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. for their test run.

The memo also contains the date September 1, though it isn’t certain whether that date is when the Google Wallet program will begin or if that’s when The Container Store will be participating.

Jeff Hughes
I'm a SF Bay Area-based writer/ninja that loves anything geek, tech, comic, social media or gaming-related.
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