Goodbye wallet – the phone will take it from here

Just announced right now at their NY offices,  Google’s NFC payments system – Google Wallet. Expected to launch in September this year, the service will allow Google Andoird users to pay using their phone at a number of retail stores.

Google have partnered with Citibank, MasterCard, FirstData and Sprint for launch meaning that only Sprint users with a Citbank credit card will be able to use this from the start. This is being billed as an open platform and other payment providers and banks are being encouraged to get involved. Launch retail partners include Subway, Duane Reade, Footlocker and ToysRus starting in New York and moving San Francisco shortly afterwards.

One of the more interesting features is the tie in with Google Offers and rewards which has also just been announced. This allows you to redeem offers at the same time as paying and also collect loyalty rewards electronically rather than carrying a myriad of cards to be stamped manually.

Let’s see if Apple make their announcement at WWDC and whether its an “open” platform