Google launched a new Google Wallet app today, which has caused a little confusion since there is an existing and separate old version available for download. The consensus is that the new app will pave the way for the entry of Android Pay in the coming days.
The new Google Wallet, which sports a revamped user interface, will only let users send and receive money, according to 9to5google. Since these functions have been the main features of the old app, consumers might wonder about the redundancy. It turns out that the old Google Wallet will updated to Android Pay, according to its revised app description at Google's Play Store. This could mean that all features of the old app would be carried over to Android Pay, according to NDTV.
The new Google Wallet also allows users to send money directly from a debit card or bank account, set amount to the Wallet Balance and track transactions, among other features, which are explained by Google in detail.
A separate Google Wallet and Android Pay app seems a requisite in the current flurry of reorganization in the search giant's business units because Google also targets iOS users. Wallet is available at the Apple's App Store. More importantly, Google Wallet does not have the mobile payment feature of the old app. It will, therefore, take the backseat in the Google ecosystem once Android Pay is finally made available.
The Android Pay service was launched early this year. Once the app is deployed in the coming days, it will work in more than 700,000 retail outlets in the U.S., said Dave Burke, Google engineering vice president.
