Tap-to-Pay Soon to Be Available on Smartwatches

Googled postponed the release of Tap-to-Pay app on Android Wear.

Ever thought of paying at the store or at the restaurant using your Smartwatch only? Well, it would seem that you will soon be able to do that thanks to Google’s decision to bring this technology to smartwatch owners.

Recently, Google’s Play Store has upgraded its Android Wear apps library with several new items, including the much-awaited Tap-to-pay function. According to several press releases, it would seem that Google is in the final stages of testing out the new function on Android compatible smart wear.

So, in order to use the Tap-to-Pay app, you’re going to need a compatible Android-based smartwatch. Should the function be released, according to Google, if you have an NFC-ready smartwatch, you will be able to use the Tap-to-Pay function.

When the update is released, you will be able to use your Android-compatible smartwatch to pay for the things you buy. Although the project is still under development, and the Tap-to-Pay system only works in just a couple of places in the United States, the developers are confident that the technology will become available in more countries.

However, it would seem that we have to wait a while longer before we can use the Tap-to-Pay app on our smartwatches.

The same press releases that partially confirmed the function mentioned something about improved Android Wear 2.0 apps. Unfortunately, the second generation of Android Wear is not expected to hit the market until fall 2017.

It’s not yet entirely clear whether this feature will arrive with Android Wear 2.0 or before it. The only thing we know at the moment is that you will need to have a Samsung Gear S3 watch and Samsung Pay in order to use the feature.

Furthermore, it would seem that compatibility is not an issue. Apparently, the application is designed to operate on handsets running the KitKat 4.4 version.

It would seem that Google has a lot of catching up to do in terms of Tap-to-pay apps, considering the fact that iOS owners have been able to use this technology for over a year now. Has Google delayed the anticipated feature in order to improve its functionality or has the company given up on smartwatches?

One thing is for sure. The Tap-to-Pay app is on its way, as we speak, but whether it can match iOS’s time-honored app remain to be seen.

Image source: Flickr

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Tara Hamilton

Tara has graduated from the University of Oregon, with bachelors degree in Spanish Literature in 2010. She lived in Miami for one year and travelled extensively before settling down in El Paso.