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Oct

US Cellular Galaxy S III Update Today Brings Google Wallet - First Subsidized Wallet Phone Not On Sprint

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Device Updates, News, US Cellular

If you have a Galaxy S III on US Cellular, we're here to give you some good news: you're getting Google Wallet. And you can probably actually get it today if you download the update manually from Samsung. First, though, let's take a look at this leaked image showing the changes the update brings:

Basically, a lot of updates to stock apps, and various bug fixes you can see detailed in the image above. The real interesting part, though, is at the bottom: Google Wallet support. This is the first US Cellular device to get Google Wallet. In fact, it's the only subsidized smartphone outside of Sprint to be equipped with Google Wallet.

Sep

Google Wallet Is Discontinuing The Google Prepaid Card, You Have Until October 17th 2012 To Use Remaining Balance

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Google, News

Well, that just came right the flip out of nowhere. Google just sent out an email informing Google Wallet users that, as of September 17th, you will no longer be able to add funds to your Google Prepaid Card. After that, you have one month to spend any remaining balance, before it's no longer available. You can still receive a refund for the balance here, though, so Google's not just stealing your money. You will have to wait about 8 weeks to receive a refund, though. Also, refunds won't actually start until October 17th.

The search giant explains that this move is happening because you can now add any debit or credit card to Google Wallet.

Aug

CyanogenMod 9.1 Includes SimplyTapp NFC Payment Support For Nexus Phones And The Galaxy S II

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in News

Jelly Bean may be all the rage at the moment, but the CyanogenMod team hasn't forgotten about their Ice Cream Sandwich implementation. Tucked in with the newly updated CyanogenMod 9.1 is support for the brand new SimplyTapp near-field communication system. SimplyTap is the labor of love of two dedicated CyanogenMod users, with the aim of broadening NFC payment usage via a more open implementation of the embattled standard. Currently the Tapp app is only compatible with CyanogenMod 9.1 - CM10 is moving a little too quickly to reliably add the necessary code.

Naturally, you'll also need an NFC-enabled device to use the SimplyTapp service.

Aug

Head Of Google Wallet Says Negotiations With Other Carriers Are Underway, Hopes To Announce New Partnerships "Soon"

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, News

This morning, Google had a Wallet developer Q&A session on the Google Developers blog, featuring Robin Dua, the product manager for Wallet.

Dua hinted that person to person payments could be headed to Wallet soon, so be on the lookout for that. He also emphasized Wallet's focus on getting small businesses on board with the company's loyalty reward and offer platforms.

More interestingly, when asked in a viewer question why Wallet was only supported on a limited number of carriers, Dua responded that Google was in active negotiations with "a number" of carriers, and that he "hope[d] to have some new partnerships to announce soon." While clearly implying that there is a possibility of failure, the fact that Dua spoke to such negotiations at all is encouraging.

Aug

Google Posts Three New Videos For The Uninitiated Wallet User

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Applications, News, Videos

So, you've heard a lot about this Google Wallet thing, but how does it actually work? How do you add a card? Is it secure?

Those may be a few of the questions floating around in your head about Google's pay-with-your-mobile service. Never fear, though, Wallet Wonderers - Google just published three new videos to help you better understand how Wallet works and how easy it is to use.

So, watch the videos and hit the widget at the bottom to install Wallet... if your device supports it, that is.

Google Wallet

QR code for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.walletnfcrel

Aug

Google Wallet Updated To Support All Major Credit And Debit Cards, Goes Cloud Based

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Applications, News

Holy crap - Google Wallet just dropped a bomb on everyone and announced that the service now supports Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. We sort of suspected something like this would happen, and Google has managed to do it by making Wallet payments partially cloud-based, as opposed to a fully embedded system.

This means Wallet will work offline for the actual payment (it stores an encrypted card ID in the NFC chip), but does require an active internet connection if you want switch payment options or add a new one. Your card should stick in the system once selected, and as long as it is selected, payment should continue to work offline.

Jul

Sprint EVO 4G LTE Update v1.22.651.3 Rolling Out, Finally Fixes Google Wallet Along With A Bunch Of Other Things

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in EVO 4G LTE (Jewel), HTC, News, Sprint

Ding-ding-ding! EVO 4G LTE owners, the update you've been waiting for is ready. v1.22.651.3 of the software is rolling out starting today, July 11th, and according to Sprint fixes a whole array of bugs. The most important aspect of the update has to do with Google Wallet which has been broken since pretty much day one of the release. Other changes include improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity, playback of sideloaded videos, the crashing gallery app, calendar reminders, random power cycling, and more.

Here's the full changelog posted by Sprint:

Version

1.22.651.3

Date released

07/11/2012

Description of enhancements/fixes

This update addresses:

Google security updates

Wifi disconnect issue

Time zone issue

Google Wallet fix

Side loaded video pause issue

Random power cycling issue

Pioneer Bluetooth Car Kit connection issu

Gallery app crash

Calendar reminder (all day even time) issue

Fire up your engines by going to Settings > System updates > HTC software update if you're running stock or wait for your favorite custom ROM developer (my personal choice is flipz of Fresh ROM) to merge the changes and provide an update you can flash.

Jun

Rumor: Sprint Releasing Its Own Mobile Payment Service Called "Touch," Google Wallet Now Left High And Dry

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, News, Sprint

Well, we knew it was a possibility, and given Google Wallet's painfully slow adoption rate (by carriers and payment processors), rumors today from NFCTimes that the service's sole remaining partner Sprint is coming up with an alternative aren't exactly surprising.

NFCTimes says the service will be called "Touch," and will utilize a "secure element" system like Wallet (a physical chip) in order to securely process mobile payments. Likely by necessity, this would mean the end of support for Google Wallet on Sprint handsets released after the launch of the new "Touch" service. Two embedded payment systems would be confusing to average consumers, and Sprint will have much more control over its own service (as well as revenue from it), as compared to no control with Google Wallet - undoubtedly something it wants.

May

The Ultimate Google I/O 2012 Preview

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Rumors

Last Updated: June 27th, 2012

Google I/O is coming and it's time to get excited! It's like Christmas in June! It will be here in just a few ~~short~~ agonizing weeks - and we need to prepare. There is background information you need to know, rumors you should have in mind, and past announcements and acquisitions that need to be remembered. Google always leaves little news breadcrumbs for those that pay attention, and I pay attention. Fanatically.

This post will be part news recap, part rumor roundup, and part speculation. The last time I did this went pretty well, and now it's time for another look at what the little elves at Google HQ are working on.

Mar

Google Learns Pursuing Wallet Without Carriers' Blessing Is Suicide, Now Wants To Play Ball

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, News

Google Wallet is a great idea - in theory. In practice? The service has been plagued with problems; slow adoption, a lack of NFC devices, the existence of ISIS generally, and a public image crisis after security concerns. The biggest problem, though, has been the decided unwillingness of carriers (except Sprint) to support it.

That's because everyone but Sprint is banking on Isis, which has over $100 million in financial backing from the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Isis, if you're not familiar with it, is pretty much Google Wallet sans the whole Google part. But unlike Isis, Google Wallet doesn't provide any financial incentive for network operators.