Google Wallet Gears Up: Improved Wear OS app, wider website access, and more
Here’s what’s new with Google Wallet: a smoother experience on your smartwatch, easier access on the web, and even train ticket integration!
Top 3 Updates:
- Wear OS App Enhancements: Manage your passes more efficiently with grouped listings, pass archiving, and support for “unsc dostępne karty” (unscannable passes) in Polish (and other languages).
- Website Access Expands: Google Wallet’s online management tool (wallet.google.com) is now available in 43 countries, making it easier to control your digital wallet from anywhere.
- Train Tickets in Gmail: Google Wallet now automatically integrates train ticket information from your Gmail, adding them alongside existing loyalty cards, movie tickets, and boarding passes.
Deeper Dive:
Calling all smartwatch users! The Google Wallet app on Wear OS just got an upgrade. Now you can experience:
- Grouped Passes: No more endless scrolling! Passes will be grouped for a more organized view. Simply tap a group to see each pass displayed in a carousel.
- Pass Archiving: Declutter your list without deleting it completely. Archived passes will reside in a dedicated section at the bottom of your Wear OS app, accessible when needed.
- Unscannable Pass Support: Google Wallet now recognizes and displays even “unsc dostępne karty” (unscannable passes) in Polish and other languages.
This update ensures a smoother experience for managing your passes on your wrist.
Going Web-Wide:
Remember wallet.google.com? This online tool lets you manage both Google Wallet and Google Pay from a web browser. Great news! It’s now available in 43 countries, a significant leap from the initial 15 launched in July. Google assures this is just the first step in making it accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Train Tickets Join the Party:
Traveling by train? Google Wallet is now pulling information from train ticket confirmation emails found in your Gmail. This joins the existing functionality for loyalty cards, movie tickets, and boarding passes, creating a one-stop shop for your travel essentials.
Developer Corner:
Google Wallet also has some exciting updates for developers:
- Closed Loop Transit API: This API now allows physical transit cards to be converted into digital ones within Google Wallet, further streamlining the commuting experience.
- VDV Support: Google Wallet now supports VDV (eTicket Services Motics specification), a secure mobile ticketing standard in Germany. This enables transit agencies and developers to leverage Google Wallet’s secure infrastructure, preventing ticket copying, falsification, and fraud.
These updates solidify Google Wallet’s position as a comprehensive and secure platform for managing your digital life, both on your phone and online. Stay tuned for even more exciting features in the future!