In case you haven't got a clue on what Apple Pay is all about, it is basically a mobile payment and digital wallet service by Apple that lets users make payments using the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Watch-compatible devices (iPhone 5 and later models), iPad Air 2, and iPad Mini 3.
Since the inception of Apple Pay last year, the service has gone on to be a major hit among Apple users. In fact, the service has already gained recognition among some of the retail stores and has even managed to gain the support of few of the largest banks in the across the world.
Needless to say, the growing popularity of Apple Pay has attracted few of its rivals, especially Google. According to reports, Google is currently testing a service called 'Plaso', which will let Android users pay retailers just by saying their initials to employees at the cash register, according to sources.
If the plans related to the new Plaso service are implemented properly, it will see users walk into a store, buy something (or coordinate to purchase something beforehand), and then give their initials at the point of pick up. The cashier would then check the Plaso interface on a smartphone, find the purchase order and deliver the item.
The Information, according to its sources related to the matter, says that consumers will only require a smartphone to conduct the transactions. Following that, it will then feed the payment information into a backend operated by Google.
"Google last fall began testing a service called 'Plaso' that allows people carrying Android phones to pay at retailers like Papa John's and Panera Bread by saying their initials to employees at the cash register, according to four people who have been involved in or briefed about it," the report states.
The report adds that the process could be made possible via some sort of middleman approach, where the transaction goes through Google, but perhaps makes use of actual vendor's payment processor in order to complete the payment. But we are yet to get an official word on it from Google.
In Google's defence, the company may already have its Google Wallet system setup, but it never really gained the expected popularity. Although we are far away from anything official on the matter, Plaso and Google Wallet could end up working together to help in the development and basic frame work for Plaso.
However, going by the report, Plaso is said to use Bluetooth beacon technology to identify when customers enter a store, as well as speech recognition software to recognize the customers' initials. More details on the service are expected to emerge shortly. Stay tuned for more updates!
