Google Testing 'Say My Initials' Payments: Report

Google employees are testing a service that lets them make payments by speaking their initials to the cashier, according to an article in The Information.

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Called Plaso, the service uses an app on Google's Android smartphones to tell retailers there is a consumer in the store that can use the service. Consumers need Android phones to use Plaso, which can also be integrated with Google Wallet.

From the consumer's perspective, the process resembles that of Square Wallet, a mobile payment app Square discontinued in May 2014. With Square, the shopper's photo was shown to the retailer for authentication. PayPal's app functions in a similar manner, and PayPal is exploring ways to expand this system with smartwatches and Bluetooth beacons.

The Plaso service is limited to Google employees, who are using it at Panera Bread and Papa John's, according to The Information.  Apple Pay has already made major inroads at Panera Bread, where it is used for 80% of mobile payments accepted at the chain. 


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