Ever since Google launched the “Android Pay,” they have an average of 1.5 Million new registrations each month in U.S alone, and now there are over 2 Million locations that accept Android Pay.
The search giants are working on how to bring the convenience of Android Pay to more countries and at the same time they are also wanted to explore what the future of mobile payments could look like.
Google Inc. on Wednesday said it is in the early stages of testing ways to let people use digital wallets without having to even take smartphones out of their pockets. It lets you pay in stores quickly, easily, and completely hands-free.
“Imagine if you could rush through a drive-thru without reaching for your wallet, or your credit card to the cashier. This prompted us to build a pilot app called Hands Free that we’re now in the early stages of testing.” says Pali Bhat, Senior Director, Product Management
The Hand Free app is available on Android and iOS and is rolling out to a small number of McDonald’s, Papa John’s, and local eateries in the Silicon Valley area.
The digital wallet uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections and location services on your phone to detect whether you’re near a participating store. Once you’re ready to pay for your purchases, you simply tell the cashier, “I’ll pay with Google.” You’ll be asked for you initials and they will use the picture you added to your Hands Free Profile, so as to confirm your identity.
“At select stores, we’re also in the early stages of experimenting with visual identification so that you can breeze through checkout even faster. This process uses an in-store camera to automatically confirm your identity based on your Hands Free profile picture. All images captured by the Hands Free camera are deleted immediately.” Said Pali Bhat
Google is offering up to 5 USD (16,700 UGX) off your first Hands Free purchase at participating stores.
