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Google Softcard Verizon

Google Wallet to come pre-installed on T-Mobile USA, AT&T and Verizon phones

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By Minda Smiley, Reporter

February 23, 2015 | 2 min read

Google has partnered with three major US mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless, along with mobile payments company Softcard, to pre-install Google Wallet on Android phones.

Google Wallet logo

The news comes days after Samsung revealed its own plans in the mobile payments arena, acquiring mobile wallet startup LoopPay, which will also see it compete against Apple Pay.

Google also announced in its blog post that it is set to acquire technology and intellectual property from Softcard.

Under the agreement, the Google Wallet app, including the tap and pay functionality, will come pre-installed on Android phones running KitKat (update v4.4) or higher. They will be sold in the US by the carriers mentioned above later this year.

Bryan Yeager, analyst at eMarketer, said: "This is an important step for Google Wallet, but it won't be the only mobile wallet option Android users will have. Samsung's recent acquisition of LoopPay and intention to release its own mobile payments system shows that deal activity doesn't necessarily equate to market consolidation."

US mobile proximity payments, which are defined as payments made with a smartphone at the point of sale in place of cash or a credit card, totalled $3.5bn last year, according to eMarketer.

In 2014 there were 15.9 million US mobile proximity payment users in 2014. By 2016, eMarketer predicts that figure will more than double.

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