Another step's been taken towards cash and credit cards becoming obsolete, with Google on Thursday debuting its contactless smartphone payment system Android Pay in Australia.
The system allows consumers to "tap and pay" using their phones in a manner similar to Apple and Samsung's rival systems, but Google says its has one big advantage -- it's easier to use.
That's because to buy something with Android Pay you don't need to open an app, enter a password or key in a PIN, making it more like Visa's payWave technology for credit and debit cards.
#AndroidPay has landed in Australia with @ANZ_AU @AmexAU @Macquarie and more on the way https://t.co/wE0Ru8TXSt pic.twitter.com/DLF0PIC9dK
— Google Australia NZ (@googledownunder) July 14, 2016
The catch at the moment is that ANZ is the only one of the big four banks signed up, despite Westpac previously pledging to be on board. Customers of Macquarie Bank, Bank Australia, Bank of Sydney and the Teachers Mutual Bank can also all access the tech.
After first downloading a special app and entering in your details all you have to do is unlock the phone and "place it near a contactless terminal" to make a purchase, Google said.
"Just wake your phone and tap as you would with your card," Google's senior director of product management, Pali Bhat, said on the company's official blog.
Android users, your time has come. Say hello to #AndroidPay with ANZ #ANZAndroidPay https://t.co/H1ktYrSBSJhttps://t.co/9JmqyA8WzT
— ANZ Australia (@ANZ_AU) July 14, 2016
"Businesses across the country with contactless terminals don't need to do anything else to be able to accept Android Pay in store."
The technology can be used at numerous stores including Coles, Domino's, and 7-Eleven and is compatible with American Express and Visa credit and debit cards.
Android Pay can be used on any smartphone that has Google Android software, while Samsung smartphone owners will reportedly be able to opt to use Samsung or Google.
iPhone owners by comparison can use Apple Pay as a digital wallet.
Android Pay to launch in Australia with MasterCard. Read more: https://t.co/mC6eLsHeRo
— MasterCard Australia (@MasterCardAU) July 14, 2016
Technology expert and noted futurist Shara Evans tipped that more an more people would move to cashless payments systems, especially in Australia where consumers were usually early adopters of new technology.
But she cautioned consumers signing up to Google's new platform that they would have to be wary of viruses which could target their devices.
"There is more malware on the android platform than any other mobile phone platform and some of it is not just misbehaving apps that might take your contact book information, there are apps that actually ... can do all kinds of things with any application on your phone," Evans told The Huffington Post Australia.
"When I talk about using smartphones for financial transactions I always warn people that you really need to be aware of the kind of apps that are on your phone.
"You could find that (malware) is doing things to your bank account that you do not want to happen."
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