You Can Now Send, Request Money In Gmail On Android (techcrunch.com) 38
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.
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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.)
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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-o
Re: Google Wallet? (Score:2)
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
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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!
What could go wrong? (Score:5, Insightful)
There sure won't be any issues with this!
Bitcoin (Score:1)
Where's the bitcoin connection? Will they support moving bitcoins in the same manner?
Send or receive money from (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.
To whom it may concern (Score:1)
Please give me some money in Gmail on Android.
Thanks.
Brilliant! (Score:1)
This move probably has a whole host of hackers salivating right now.
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for example like....?
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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
Hey Buddy I need help to get out of the this jail (Score:2)
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.
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I would assume that also in future bribes would be payed by a less traceable transaction method.
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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.
A good idea... (Score:2)