Google preparing for tap-to-pay launch on Android Wear

Google could be on the verge of introducing tap-to-pay functionality to Android Wear, judging by references made in the latest version of the Google Play Services code. After tucking into the Google Play Services version 10.0 APK file, Android Police discovered a number of strings pertaining too both the Android Pay mobile payments system and Android Wear.

The code contains multiple simultaneous instances of the “wear” and “tp” prefixes, used for Android Wear and tap-to-pay, as well as explicit statements like: “Try holding your watch to the terminal again”, serving as a strong indication that the feature is approaching release.

The news follows an October rumor that Google is preparing the launch of its own smartwatches in early 2017, which may coincide with Android Pay’s debut on Android Wear.

Meanwhile, the Google Play Services APK teardown also suggests that Google’s Instant Apps functionality, announced at Google I/O 2016, could arrive shortly.