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You Can Now Send, Request Money In Gmail On Android (techcrunch.com)

While Google Wallet has been integrated into Gmail on the web since 2013, it has yet to be available for mobile users. Today, Google is officially rolling out the new integration so that users of the Gmail app on Android will be able to send or request money with anyone -- even those who don't have a Gmail email address. TechCrunch reports: The user experience has been designed to make exchanging money as easy as attaching a file, Google explains in its announcement. To access the new feature, you tap the attachment icon (the paperclip), then choose either send or request money, depending on your needs. A pop-up window appears where you can input the amount and add a note, and send. The entire process takes place in the Gmail app -- you don't have to have Google Wallet installed. In addition, recipients can configure it so the money they receive through Gmail goes directly into their bank account. There are no fees involved, notes Google. The goal, seemingly, is to take on quick payment apps like PayPal, Venmo or Square Cash, by offering a feature to move money right within Gmail's app. This could be useful for those times where the money is already a topic of an email conversation -- like when you're planning a trip with friends, or getting the family to go in together on a gift for your parents, for example.

38 comments

  1. Google Wallet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What's that? Doesn't exist in most countries.

    1. Re:Google Wallet? by quenda · · Score: 1

      What's that? Doesn't exist in most countries.

      Not so much need in most countries, where you can just use your bank app or website to transfer money to anyone, using their bank and account numbers, or credit card number.

        But the US banking system is a nightmare. There are literally thousands of small local banks (think "Its a wonderful Life") .
      They still have cards with magnetic strips, and even write IOUs on pieces of paper that get physically shipped between banks and then returned to the writer. (Ask your grandparents what a cheque/check was.)

    2. Re:Google Wallet? by MagicM · · Score: 1

      The problem I've encountered with transferring money isn't the number of local banks. It's easy enough to ask for someone's routing number and account number, because that's on every check in their checkbook.

      The problem I've seen is that it's mind-bendingly hard to do a one-time transfer to an individual. Banking sites just show you your balance and history, and let you move money between your personal accounts. To transfer money you have to use a separate "bill-pay" site which isn't geared towards one-off individual transfers.

      Maybe your bank does this better. None of the ones I've encountered do.

    3. Re:Google Wallet? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For one-off transfers in the UK, those of us who *don't* use online banking can just go into our bank branch, give target account details and amount to cashier, place debit card in machine and that's it.

      (If you use online banking you can do the equivalent online via your banking website yourself of course).

      Is there no US equivalent to this facility at all?

    4. Re: Google Wallet? by buchanmilne · · Score: 1

      Haha.

      Banks in my country have very streamlined transactions. For example I can pay about 10 monthly bills (where I don't want debit orders) to pre-configured beneficiaries in under 2 minutes (including logging in with 2FA). Some banks even have dedicated once-off payment support (where one additional authorisation step is required over paying existing beneficiaries, but more streamlined than first adding a beneficiary and then doing a 2nd step to pay).

      Other mobey transfer methods (e.g. Paypal) aren't very popular, because using internet or "cellphone" (USSD-based) or smart phone banking features from our 4 or 5 major banks is so easy and safe.

      Some retail-focused payment apps (Snapscan) are popular though (replacong cash or card-present transactions).

      For transfers to people who don't have bank accounts but have cellphones (probably about 50% of the adult population), most banks here have 'cash send' featured where ftom the internet banking site or USSD or smart phone app you can effectively send cash to a cellphone number. The recipient can go to any bank ATM and withdraw the cash using SMS-or USSD validation.

      Sounds like US banking is still in the pre-Web2 era ...

    5. Re: Google Wallet? by Nethead · · Score: 1

      Pre-Web2 era? Hell as far as banking goes, we're still on a dial-up line talking to a terminal server so we can telnet in to the mail machine to use elm to read our mail!

      --
      -- I have a private email server in my basement.
  2. Like all things good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This ends well.

  3. What could go wrong? by AdamThor · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There sure won't be any issues with this!

    --
    -- "Oh. This guy again."
    1. Re:What could go wrong? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      People are already requesting me for money using gmail, so nothing new here.

    2. Re:What could go wrong? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Requesting via email is not the problem. They're talking about 'Requesting (tm)' as an app service or button. It's not the actual verb of requesting you for money. It's the actual paying through such communication vehicles is the problem.

      HehHeh !!!
      https://www.incapsula.com/images/illustrations/web-app-security-mini-site/man-in-the-middle-mitm.jpg

  4. Google too, will be honored to learn a lesson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... a hard lesson PayPal learn over the years. (In addition to just enjoy being evil.)

  5. Bitcoin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Where's the bitcoin connection? Will they support moving bitcoins in the same manner?

  6. Send or receive money from by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    someone who speaks unconvenient truths about government, or someone who later becomes subject to a criminal investigation - expect a knock on the door from FBI. I can see many reasons why one would not want the largest personal profiling tool the world has ever seen, to keep track of your money and where it goes.

  7. dear scammers, please dont be evil ... ??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Perfect .. Just perfect .. "dear xyx, you have won ... Send money by replying to this email .. " .. End to end service at your finger tips ... Perfect .. Just perfect ...

  8. To whom it may concern by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Please give me some money in Gmail on Android.

    Thanks.

    1. Re:To whom it may concern by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You seem so sincerely pathetic. It's on its way.

  9. Brilliant! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    This move probably has a whole host of hackers salivating right now.

    1. Re:Brilliant! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is a Google product. Hacked and broken before its even released.

    2. Re: Brilliant! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      if they have unfettered acces to your email account. google pay has separate security measures to it and its basically a prepayed card just put in enough monies but not too much that you would be devistated if lost.

    3. Re:Brilliant! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "like when you're planning a trip with friends, or getting the family to go in together on a gift for your parents, or you're a Russian hacker looking for some hard currency, for example."

    4. Re:Brilliant! by bickerdyke · · Score: 1

      for example like....?

      --
      bickerdyke
  10. Stay away - google will cut you off on a whim by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A few years back I wanted to buy a google nexus phone to evaluate for my company.

    Google doesn't just sell a phone online, you have to sign up for google wallet, add a credit card, etc. So I received the phone, paid my credit card bill, and that was that.

    After a month, we decided that we liked it at the office and wanted to get another one. I logged on to my account again and ordered another phone. After a day, I get a message that my order was cancelled.

    I call them up (google has live phone support for orders) and asked why did you cancel my order. They tell me my account is locked for suspicious activity. Wtf?

    If my initial order was fraudulent, wouldn't there have been a credit card complaint and chargeback?

    To unlock my account, they transfer to to their "security team" in the Phillipines. They tell me if I scan my passport and drivers licence and send it to them they will consider unlocking my account.

    Wtf? Telling them to f*ck off was the most polite thing I said.

    And I haven't ordered from google since.

    1. Re:Stay away - google will cut you off on a whim by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's nuts, scan your passport...... haha.

    2. Re:Stay away - google will cut you off on a whim by Highdude702 · · Score: 1

      This is what happens when it becomes illegal to kill stupid people. or better yet let them kill themselfs. 60 years later 3/4 of the planet is retarded

  11. Yesterday's news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... you don't have to have Google Wallet installed.

    How will such users convert the transfer into cash when Google can't send it to a bank?

    Yesterday's news contained the story of woman who followed an email (or phone call) to fix her computer, resulting in spyware being installed and her online bank account being emptied. Now, web-links in malicious emails instruct your email client to transfer your money to a stranger: Brilliant idea.

  12. It'll get me off the street... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Will spam for food. Hey brother, can you spare me an email?

  13. Hey Buddy I need help to get out of the this jail by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 1

    The local cop is saying that If don't pay this ticket now $200 USD that I can be stuck hear for 30 days or more just waiting for the trail and I have a plane ticket back home next week. But if you where to pay him at #########@gmail.com then I can get out now.

  14. Can I get your Gmail address? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You won't regret it! Thanks in advance.

  15. We have a ton of payment apps, but any real users? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The only payment electronic phone payment options I've ever seen people actually regularly using is Bitcoin and that's most been in New Hampshire. I see PayPal, Google Pay, Samsung Pay (?), Apple Pay (?) at some places, but all I ever think is "who uses these?" and "they should start taking Bitcoin", cause at least i see people using Bitcoin (again, here in New Hampshire, where Bitcoin is pretty popular and a real-world payment option, see some of the places that take it here: www.shirebitcoin.org)

  16. A good idea... by Zemran · · Score: 1

    ...as any option to the cost of Paypal or Western Union is a good idea but I doubt that it will be a safe option if it is by Google, the people who read your emails and sell the contents now what your bank transactions...

    --
    I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
  17. Request to Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dear Google,

    Please sent me money.

    Sincerely,

    AC

    Sent from Gmail, Android

  18. You could already do this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I thought the standard way was to use block capitals in GMail and claim to be the son of the late king Whatisname III of Elbonia with TEN MILLION US DOLLARS?

  19. heard of malware ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So a piece of malware can empty my bankaccount. Just what i was waiting for.

  20. Re:Hey Buddy I need help to get out of the this ja by bickerdyke · · Score: 1

    I would assume that also in future bribes would be payed by a less traceable transaction method.

    --
    bickerdyke
  21. Re:Hey Buddy I need help to get out of the this ja by c · · Score: 2

    Hi, great to hear from you. Sounds like you're having fun in your travels.

    Hopefully you can use your time in jail for something useful; I suggest taking a remedial writing course.

    Your loving son.

    c.

    --
    Log in or piss off.
  22. Ask George Webb on YouTube about micropayments by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Instead of asking what YOU would want this system for, start asking what THEY would want this system for.

  23. US only! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So how this is really competition to PayPal?