Phones without near-field communication (NFC) chips can soon be used to pay for purchases in-store.
Google recently announced it is finally giving its Google Wallet app the much-awaited support for QR code-based payments, allowing those without NFC chips to pay for purchases in-store.
The search giant previously had Google Wallet replace Google Pay in all available countries in the past, though the Pay branding itself remained, per Android Police.
Google Wallet QR Code Payment Support Details
Google mentioned in one of its blog posts that it has officially added the ability to pay for purchases in-store through Google Wallet by scanning a QR code, allowing those without NFC chips to make payments.
According to Android Authority, NFC-based payments are all the rage as of press time - they allow people to tap their phone against a point-of-sale machine to pay for purchases instead of tapping their card. However, not every phone in use today has an NFC chip installed within them, preventing them from enjoying the app's features.
According to Google, it developed and designed the feature with people's needs in developing countries in mind; a significant number of the phones used in these countries do not have NFC.
As a result, many of those without nFC chips in their phones resort to using QR-based payments via third-party services to pay for their purchases. Additionally, the fact that you only need a camera and data connection to conduct these payments means it could be possible to make QR code payments with a feature phone.
While many users have waited long for such a feature to arrive for Google Wallet, the search giant mentioned a catch: it is not available in the US for the time being.
That's right. The ability to pay for purchases by scanning QR codes with Google Wallet will only be available in Brazil for some time. Although Google mentioned it would expand the feature's coverage in the future, it didn't mention when.
Android Authority had already asked Google if the feature will be available outside Brazil anytime soon, though it has yet to receive a reply as of press time.
Other Brazil-Exclusive Google Features
Aside from the QR code-based payments on Google Wallet, the search giant also released some features for Brazilians to use and enjoy. For instance, Google mentioned it is updating its Flood Forecasting TOol to help Brazilians prepare for floods and wildfires better. This update will show Android users in 80 cities across the country real-time riverine flood alerts.
It also improved its Search feature in the country by facilitating access to social benefits to provide low-income families with information about social programs like Bolsa-Família, which will give them a monthly stipend, and Seguro Desemprego, Brazil's unemployment insurance.
Google also made its Search feature and Google Maps show up-to-date information on vaccination stations, with data on more than 40,000 health centers around the country.
As a result, the Vaccination Panel on Google Maps and Search will display information like contact numbers, opening hours, and websites whenever a user in Brazil searches for "vaccination near me."
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