Google Wallet at I/O’25: Your essential recap with Q&A
By Google for Developers
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Key Concepts
- Google Wallet global expansion
- Digital IDs and digital credentials API
- NFC tap to pay
- Google Pay vs. Google Wallet
- Google Wallet API
- Security of Google Wallet
- Rotating barcodes and QR codes
Google Wallet Global Expansion and New Features
- Google Wallet has expanded to over 100 countries and territories.
- The focus is on making the API more robust, flexible, and feature-rich for developers.
- The speaker mentions that Google Wallet is the best digital wallet for Android.
Digital IDs and Digital Credentials API
- Digital IDs are a major announcement from Google IO.
- Currently available in the US for users with US passports or driver's licenses from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Georgia, Maryland, and Colorado.
- Upcoming support for Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia.
- The digital credentials API is a unified and secure framework for apps and websites to request verifiable proof of age and identity.
- Developed in collaboration with ecosystem partners in the W3C.
- Allows users to share only the information they choose (e.g., proving age without sharing exact date of birth).
- Upcoming use cases include account recovery, travel, government services, online health services, and verified profiles.
NFC Tap to Pay
- Google Wallet is enabled for NFC tap to pay.
- Requires an NFC-enabled device and a terminal with Google Pay enabled.
- Users can open Google Wallet, select a credit card, and tap to pay.
Google Pay vs. Google Wallet
- Google Wallet is a container for digital IDs, debit/credit cards, transit cards, loyalty cards, event tickets, etc.
- Google Pay is a payment service that processes transactions.
- Users can pay with Google Pay even without Google Wallet (e.g., tapping a physical credit card).
- Google Wallet allows users to choose a credit card and tap to pay using Google Pay.
Google Wallet in India
- Google Wallet is available in India but initially launched without payment methods (credit/debit cards).
- India was the first country in the global expansion to launch a "passes first" wallet.
- This was due to the complexities of issuing credit/debit cards in a digital wallet.
- Google is working on adding payment method features to Google Wallet in India.
- The Google Pay app is very popular in India and has some overlapping features with Google Wallet.
Google Wallet API
- Developers can create passes that can be added to Google Wallet.
- The Google Wallet API is available through Google Cloud.
- Requires Google Cloud credentials for authentication and authorization.
- The Google Wallet API is free to use but requires enabling it in the Google Cloud Console.
- developers.google.com/wallet/events is the URL for past and upcoming Google Wallet events.
Adding Items to Google Wallet
- Users can add items to Google Wallet by scanning a QR code or barcode, or by using the "Add to Google Wallet" button.
- The "Add to Google Wallet" button is the preferred method because it indicates an integration provided by a developer, allowing for dynamic updates (e.g., loyalty points, flight information).
- The QR code/barcode scan is a static image and does not provide real-time updates.
- Gemini AI is used to recognize and add items to Google Wallet via the camera.
Security of Google Wallet
- Google Wallet stores credentials, event tickets, boarding passes, and loyalty cards in a safe and secure way.
- Security is a top priority.
- Multiple layers of authentication are used to protect private information.
- Users can enable biometric security (e.g., fingerprint) for authentication.
Rotating Barcodes and QR Codes
- Google Wallet supports rotating barcodes and QR codes for enhanced security.
- The secret keys for rotating barcodes and QR codes are not shared with the user or the phone.
- The phone does not necessarily need to be online to show a valid barcode.
- The Google Wallet API documentation should be followed for implementation details.
- The algorithm and frequency of barcode changes are shared with Google Wallet.
- Google's servers and the Google Wallet app perform computations to validate the barcode at a given time.
Hotel Keys and NFC Tags
- Google Wallet can integrate with NFC tags and cards, such as hotel room keys.
- Requires integration with the hotel chain and the specific key reader.
- Some hotel chains already issue digital keys to Google Wallet.
- Companies can also issue corporate badges as digital passes in Google Wallet.
Google Wallet and AI Assistants
- The speaker acknowledges the potential for integrating AI assistants with Google Wallet.
- Potential use cases include asking about loyalty points or flight information.
- Security and privacy are top concerns when considering such integration.
Conclusion
The Google Wallet is expanding globally with a focus on new features and developer tools. The digital credentials API is a major step forward in providing secure and verifiable digital identities. While Google Wallet offers a range of functionalities, the speaker emphasizes the importance of security and user privacy. The live Q&A session addressed various user concerns and provided insights into the future development of Google Wallet.
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