Google has delivered Android Pay support for in-app purchases. Not to worry, these in-app purchases are physical goods and services as opposed to digital quarters to make free-to-play games go.
Making good on a promise stated in September, Google kitted out Android Pay with a feature that lets users "speed through mobile checkout" in their favorite apps.
Several companies have already taken advantage of the Android Pay's update API and have baked in a button for the digital wallet service. Users can now just tap for payment and confirmation of goods and services from Lyft, OpenTable, SpotHero, ParkWhiz, Jet.com, Handy, Fancy, Hotel Tonight, Instacart, Houzz, JackThreads, Vinted, Wish and others.
"No more pulling out your credit card while on-the-go," says Google. "No more errors thanks to clumsy thumbs. Just tap the Android Pay button in the app, confirm your information, and you're done! And just like your purchases in stores, Android Pay never shares your card details with merchants."
This is Google catching up, as Apple Pay already supports in-app purchases. It did so from day one, but apparently, Android Pay is off to a solid start.
"There are now over 1 million locations across the United States that already accept tap and pay, with more being added every day. In short, the response from customers and merchants has been tremendous," Google says.
To kick off the rollout of in-app purchases, the feature's pioneering apps are offering deep discounts. OpenTable is offering $20 less on dinner bills, Vinted is willing to take 30 percent off its "preloved" clothing and Lyft will take $10 off on fare for a ride through its ridesharing network.
Android Pay is just starting to gain traction, but it still has more work to do to catch up to Apple — Apple Pay launched a full year before Android Pay. Google now has its sights set on Australia, the next country to receive Android Pay. It plans to deliver the service to Australia in the first half of 2016 and says it expects to reach more countries in the next year as well.
