Google is expected to announce Android Pay, its new Apple Pay competitor, during its I/O keynote today. But before the service is official, the company has inadvertently confirmed its arrival with a whole bunch of Android Pay signs that are dotted around Moscone West.
An earlier report from The New York Times, citing three sources familiar with Google’s plans, claimed Android Pay would be unveiled at I/O today. It’s expected to be very similar to Apple Pay — and other mobile payment services — but it might have a couple of nice advantages.
Unlike Apple Pay, Android Pay is expected to launch with its very own loyalty program, which will provide customers with rewards for using the service on a regular basis. It will also bring a “reintroduced” Google Wallet, for both Android and iOS which will let users send money to each other.
“Google’s new Android Pay can also be used at brick-and-mortar stores in addition to letting merchants accept credit card payments from their mobile apps, said the people familiar with the company’s plans,” reports NYT.
“Consumers who use Android Pay for a purchase will also automatically add points to loyalty programs run by participating retailers, they said.”
The specifics are still to be confirmed, of course, but based on these Android Pay placards at Moscone West in San Francisco — where I/O takes place today — we won’t have to wait too long for that.
This proves Android Pay is coming – https://t.co/iX2D3tsICS pic.twitter.com/JELuL3Cqhw
— Android Chief (@MyAndroidChief) May 28, 2015
