Google Wallet coming in September, says Radio Shack leak
updated 11:40 am EDT, Tue August 23, 2011
Google Wallet at Radio Shack launch imminent
A new leak from Radio Shack indicates the retailer is near ready to go live as a Google launch partner on its Google Wallet undertaking. The leak, sent to Engadget, comes in the form of a memo to Radio Shack employees that specifically references September 1 as the date Google Wallet is ready. The functionality is more likely to go live later on in September, however.
Google Wallet is the first major NFC mobile payment system that relies on virtual cards to make payments at retailers that have the required hardware. The system requires users to enter a PIN code, encrypts the data and never shows the full card number after registration. The payments are kept from being hijacked thanks to a unique identifier created by a trusted services manager handled by First Data that is viewable by the bank and the phone.
Google Wallet requires Android 2.3 to be preloaded onto Android smartphones that also have the required hardware onboard. The search firm has stressed that it ultimately won't be platform-specific and that it would support the iPhone if it added NFC.
