Android Pay Now Allows Users to Make In-App Purchases

Android users can now make in-app purchases using Android Pay. Google says that in-app purchases will be just as secure and time-saving as that of NFC-based payments.

Engadget reports that starting today, Android users can now make use of Mountain View's online payments system to make in-app purchases. This means that instead of having to manually enter card info, Android users can now make use of the Android Pay button to confirm details for quick and easy payment transactions. This new feature gives Google's payments system similar to that of Apple Pay, for users of iOS devices.

Google also said that Android users can expect to see the new feature in a growing list of apps in the months to come. Popular apps like DoorDash, OpenTable, Lyft and others are offering discounts to entice people to make use of Android Pay.

For instance, Android Pay users will be given special discounts for a limited time, such as $20 off OpenTable dining or $10 off a Lyft ride. Google also said that Android Pay is heading to Australia in early 2016 and more countries will follow suit within the year.

Australian banks such as Westpac Banking Corp, ANZ Banking Group and Macquarie will accept payments via Android phones when Google will be rolling out the service in the first half iof 2016, Reuters says. On the other hand, Apple is still in search of a big Australian bank that will accept Apple Pay. 

"It's a big bargaining chip for (Australian) banks to use to force a better deal with Apple," said Foad Fadaghi, managing director of Telsyte. 

It was reported by the website that Apple is demanding 15 basis points in fees that the Australian banks have refused to share. The report also said that Android Pay has no such charges. 

"The four Australian banks aren't prepared to give up the amount of interchange fees that the U.S., Canadian and UK banks have done," said Grant Halverson, who is a McLean Roche payments consultant. 

Ars Tecnica reported that Android Pay had launched Google Pay a year after Apple Pay was launched. It was basically a rebranded version of Google Wallet, which allows Android users to make purchases in select stores by tapping their handheld devices at check-out terminals, using near field communications (NFC). With the addition of in-app payments, Android Pay hopes to become a direct competitor in market share with Apple Pay.