New Android payment features will include sending money via Google Assistant

More and more financial transactions are being handled via smartphones. Google knows this, and wants to offer even more ways to make those payments easier on phones. As part of the 2017 Google I/O developer conference this week, it revealed plans to add more payment options and features for Android device owners.

Google has already announced that Android device user can now make online payments with any card that is saved in their Google account. In a blog post today, the company also confirmed that it will soon add a way to send anyone money via voice commands from Google Assistant. When you have your card linked to your Google account, you will soon be able to say something like, “Ok Google, send $20 to John”, with Google Assistant on your phone, or via the Google Home connected speaker. The money will then be sent over to that person.

Google is also launching the Card Linked Offers API for developers so they can send targeted special offers for loyalty card users on Android Pay.  Speaking of which, it will be launching in the near future in more countries, including Brazil, Canada, Russia, Spain and Taiwan. Google is also working with PayPal to offer its users a more “streamlined” mobile payment experience on Android.

Finally, Google says it is working with a company called Clover to integrate Google’s smart tap payment features in Clover’s developer APIs. That means app developers will be able to include Android Pay features more directly, including adding support for loyalty, coupon and gift card redemption,along with a way for app users to order ahead and tap for pick up.