Google launched the Android Pay payment service

Google has announced the launch of the Android Pay payment service, which allows you to use your smartphone as a wallet. The message about the launch of the service was published in блоге Android developers.

So far, only US residents can use Android Pay. Pay with Google service is already possible in many large stores, as well as in fast food restaurants McDonald's and Subway.

The service works on smartphones with NFC technology and Android OC, starting with 4.4 Kitkat, and allows you to connect American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa payment cards issued by major American banks to your smartphone. In the future, the list of these banks will be expanded.

Like Apple Pay, which was launched last year, for the sake of security, Android Pay does not transfer payment card data to users, but uses a virtual account to pay.

The report notes that the Android Pay application will be installed by default on some models of smartphones sold by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Also, the program will soon be available for download from the Google Play store. Finally, the Google Wallet payment app, previously released by the company, will be able to access Android Pay after users install the update.

The developers promise that in the near future, Android Pay users will be able not only to pay for purchases using a smartphone, but also to receive special discounts and participate in loyalty programs of some stores.