Google Wallet Adds PayPal As Payment Option

Google Wallet and PayPal have been competing with each other in the mobile payments market for years now, but both have struggled to create a mobile payment experience that has mass appeal. Google Wallet added a new element to its experience yesterday by adding the competition, PayPal, as a payments option for its users, who can now use their PayPal accounts to make app and content purchases in the Google Play store.

The PayPal payment option will sit along side paying with credit card in the Google Wallet when users go to check out, Google announced yesterday.

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“Our goal is to provide users with a frictionless experience, and this new integration is another example of how we work with partners from across the payments industry to deliver this to the user,” Google said on its Android Developer’s Blog.

Users will only be able to purchase apps and content such as e-books, music and videos with PayPal; they won’t be able to use it to buy devices or device accessories in the Google Play store.

Th new integration will be available in 12 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. Users will be able to pay with PayPal by simply entering their account login info when they check out.

Jonathan Camhi has been an associate editor with Bank Systems & Technology since 2012. He previously worked as a freelance journalist in New York City covering politics, health and immigration, and has a master's degree from the City University of New York's Graduate School ... View Full Bio