Google has launched Android Pay in Poland, nearly six months after the mobile wallet made its debut in the U.K. and Australia.
As of Nov. 17, consumers in Poland will be able to use Android Pay for contactless payments at the point of sale at more than 4,000 retail locations. The mobile payment app works on all Android devices that have Near Field Communication capabilities and operate on the KitKat 4.4 or higher operating system.
An attendee displays the Google Inc. Android Pay icon on a mobile device for a photograph during the Google I/O Annual Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Thursday, May 28, 2015. Google Inc. unveiled payment services, security upgrades and access to HBO movies and shows for its popular Android software, seeking to push back against growing competition from rivals such as Apple Inc. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
After downloading the Android Pay app, users in Poland can add a Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card from Alior Bank, Bank Zachodni WBK or T-Mobile Banking Services, with other banks being added in the coming months, Pali Bhat, Google's global head of payment products said in a Nov. 17 blog post.
Android Pay made its debut in the U.S. in September of 2015, almost a year after Apple Pay became available to consumers.In bringing Android Pay to market, Google dismantled its original Google Wallet product, relegating the latter brand to P-to-P payments.
Google obtained the technology and intellectual property of the telcos' failed Softcard wallet about six months prior to the U.S. launch of Android Pay. As part of the deal, Google also made peace with the U.S. telcos, which agreed to support Google's wallet despite years of conflict.
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