Something of a big reversal recently took place in the mobile payments market, as the ride sharing service Uber recently put out word of said change.
The company, which formerly offered Google Wallet support as its primary mobile payment system of choice, reportedly threw over such service in favor of Android Pay instead.
Several factors seem to have gone into such a move, starting with Android Pay’s near-field communications (NFC) compatibility.
Starting Monday, May 9, Uber will discontinue support for Google Wallet and instead offer up support for Android Pay.
One of the biggest reasons why is that aforementioned NFC capability, which allows devices to function as tap-and-pay systems, along with providing in-app payment options, which should prove welcome for the drivers involved in the ride sharing service.
While this may sound like a betrayal, it actually seems to be in line with a larger move from Google proper.
Wallet right now seems increasingly limited to peer-to-peer transfers, with Google actively pushing Android Pay to replace Google Wallet.
For Uber, the new connection should start coming online next week; all those who have Android Pay on a device with the Uber app need do is tap the Pay button in the Uber app settings and choose an active card. Then the process is ready to go.
So really, it seems like this isn’t Google losing a major client so much as it is Google switching gears from one platform to another.
A fairly natural process, especially given that Google’s as much behind Android Pay as it is Google Wallet; if Uber were going from Google Wallet to Samsung Pay or Apple Pay, that would be a different matter.
This is more a lateral move from one Google property to another, and certainly not bad news for Google. It’s actually fairly good news for Google, as it helps ensure that Uber will be sticking with Google as opposed to going to a completely different firm.
Largely a housekeeping move, it’s a safe bet that Google and Uber will be together for some time to come, and that means Google should have one more sound income stream to talk about.
