Google is said to be launching a mobile payment service for New York City shoppers this week that will allow Android Nexus S users to pay for products directly with their smartphones. This could be a positive development for local merchants and mobile marketers as it might help consumers become more comfortable paying for products via their phones.
Bloomberg reports that Google is rolling out near-field-communication technology which will allow consumers to pay by swiping their phones at NFC-friendly cash registers. This technology will also let people redeem mobile coupons, which may inspire marketers to offer discounts to mobile consumers.
The technology is supposed to be available on the Sprint's Nexus S, which runs on Android. While Google and Sprint both declined to comment, a press event is scheduled for tomorrow.
A mobile payment service for the ever-popular Android devices could help make mobile shopping mainstream. Consumers who are eager to swipe their phones to make a payment might become just as comfortable searching the mobile web and making online purchases while on the go.
In fact, Brafton has already reported that mobile SEO marketers are benefiting from on-the-go shopping. A Google study reveals that more than one-third of smartphone owners (35 percent) make purchases directly from their phones based on mobile searches.
