Google launches Google Pay, a combined app for payment

Google launched Google Pay on Tuesday, its latest combined payment service and its answer to Apple pay. This is Google’s third attempt at a mainstream payment service and it replaces its previous apps, Android Pay and Google Wallet.

Google has huge plans set for Google Pay, with the company promising that service will be making its way to all Google products, including Chrome and Assistant.

Google Pay has two sections. A home section which shows recent transactions and makes suggestions on local stores to visit that accept Google Pay based on the user’s shopping history. And the cards section is for storing digital versions of credit, debit, and reward cards. Google Pay combines features from both Android Pay and Google Wallet, including the ability to pay at checkout counters with a smartphone, and even the option to scan into transit systems in cities such as Kiev, Ukraine, London and Portland, Oregon, initially. Google Pay can also be used for paying online at Google’s partner sites like Airbnb and Fandango. Through the app, users can check out using their Google credentials rather than typing in credit card information.

Google said it's working with partners so that its users can use Google Pay to buy goods online through websites or using Google Assistant, in addition to in stores with a smartphone.

Google Pay begins rolling out now but may take several days to hit all Android smartphones.

Google Pay is available now in the Google Play Store for Android users (an iOS version is currently unavailable). Users who already have Android Pay installed on their devices will get the new app automatically the next time they update their apps.