April Fool's Day is pretty much like a national ... err, international holiday for everyone that works for Google. It seems that nobody else on the Web takes the tradition of pranks and jokes as seriously as Google does -- just see our coverage from the last few April Fool's Days for proof: Google's Gags Go Worldwide For April Fool's Day 2012 It's Over: Google Has Already Won April Fools Day 2011 Google Books, Google Maps Get 3D View – But Only For April Fool's Day April Fools' Day 2009: Google CADIE & More From Search Industry It may still be March 31st for me, and maybe [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Consumer | Features: General | Google: Analytics | Google: Docs & Spreadsheets | Google: Gmail | Google: Internet Access | Google: Maps & Local | Google: Marketing | Google: Street View | Google: Trends | Google: Wallet | Google: YouTube & Video | Search & Society: April Fool's | Top News

Google rolled out its Trusted Stores program earlier this month, acknowledging the importance of trust to improving online shopping experiences.

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Google: Checkout | Google: Wallet | Google: Web Search | Multinational Search

It's being reported today (originally by VentureBeat) that Verizon has blocked implementation of Google Wallet on the new Galaxy Nexus handset. Verizon is the exclusive US carrier of the heavily anticipated device. According to a statement issued to Bloomberg, Verizon is citing security as the rationale: Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. wireless carrier, blocked Google Inc.’s mobile-payment system from the new Galaxy Nexus smartphone, citing security concerns. Verizon Wireless, co-owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, is working to have "the best security and us [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet | Top News

Yesterday Google Checkout users were notified that it was being merged into and replaced by Google Wallet. This makes sense on every level. From a 'brand" and visibility standpoint Wallet is a more successful product already. Checkout was introduced in June, 2006 (it was rumored to be called "GBuy" ahead of launch). It was directed at both consumers and merchants. Checkout was also intended to be tightly integrated with AdWords. Online retailers or stores that used AdWords received favorable payment processing terms. In some ways it was Google's answer to PayPal but it was also different [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Retail | Google: Android | Google: Checkout | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet

When Google Wallet launched last month I wrote that it was important but mostly symbolic because of its limited availability. Wallet is only available on the Nexus S (from Sprint) and relies on the availability of NFC-enabled credit card terminals. The NFC technology on which Google Wallet is based requires a physical chip in the phone, effectively requiring that people buy new handsets before it can be used. While NFC technology can also be embedded in a sticker affixed to the outside of an existing phone, Google Wallet's full functionality (e.g., simultaneous payment and coupon redempti [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet

As expected, Google has formally announced the first rollout of Google Wallet -- the company's first official entry into the growing mobile payments space. But Wallet is only taking a baby step today. Google says the app is only being made available to Sprint Nexus S 4G phones, and users will be able to pay with a Citi Mastercard and/or a Google Prepaid Card (which can be funded via any credit card). As Greg Sterling pointed out earlier today, today's Google Wallet launch is largely symbolic due to its extremely limited availability. In its announcement, Google says it's working with the [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet | Top News

According to documents seen by TechCrunch, Google Wallet is launching later today a bit behind schedule. As we discussed when the announcement was initially made in May, only a small number of people will initially have access to Google Wallet. There are only a handful of merchant and retail partners and only one handset currently NFC-enabled: the Sprint Nexus S (although you can affix a sticker to your phone that makes it NFC-capable.) Future Android handsets will also embed an NFC chip. The limited availability of Google Wallet makes the launch largely symbolic in many respects. But be [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Features: Analysis | Google: Maps & Local | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet

Following a relatively successful launch in Portland last month Google is now rolling out Google Offers in two more markets: San Francisco and New York. Google has also updated its Shopper Android app to include deals. The app is generally focused on products but now contains tabs that allow users to access the featured daily deal "Today's Offer" or "Nearby Offers," which are essentially coupons that offering incentives to visit a nearby business (e.g., "50% off a starter"). However they don't require an up-front purchase. Daily deals and coupons are distinct but both involve saving [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Mobile | Google: Offers | Google: Wallet | Top News

For more than a decade people have prophesied the end of cash and credit cards. And for the past two years the drumbeat around mobile payments has grown steadily louder with the adoption of smartphones. Now numerous companies are jockeying to participate in what expected to be a huge market that will eventually generate billions in fees and revenue. In the same way that Apple redefined and accelerated the development of the smartphone market with the iPhone in 2007, Google Wallet marks the beginning of the mobile payments era. Google is certainly not the first company operating in the secto [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Features: Analysis | Google: AdWords | Google: Android | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet | Top News

In California it's almost impossible to stop a key employee from jumping ship to a rival company. The law heavily favors the employee's right to earn a living and typically won't permit the former employer to prevent the employee from working for a rival. California law does, however, protect "trade secrets" and will sometimes permit company A to block a former employee from working in an identical role at rival company B if trade secrets are implicated or at stake. This is the scenario at the heart of a lawsuit announced yesterday by eBay/PayPal against Google following the public intro [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: Android | Google: Employees | Google: Legal | Google: Mobile | Google: Wallet | Top News