Great News! Android Pay is arriving in the UK!

[Nabs]

In a post on the Official Android Blog this morning they have announced the launch of Android Pay in the UK

Android users in the UK are already enjoying many great features of Android from Google Photos to Google Play, and in the next few months Android smartphones will become even more useful with the launch of Android Pay. We’re bringing together payment networks, banks and retailers to help you pay simply and securely.

In the US Android Pay requires a device running 4.4 or newer and a compatible debit or credit card. Much like Apple Pay it will initially launch with a few major banks with more to join later.

For full info, including supported banks visit http://officialandroid.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/tap-pay-uk.html

[gideon]

There is one detail that I haven't been able to glean so far. Specifically, will this require the use of the NFC sim in the same way that Vodafone Wallet does? or does it work without?

I upgraded to an S7 revently, and haven't had chance to go to a shop and get a new NFC sim in the correct size, so haven;t been ab;e to get the wallet reinstalled on the new device yet, so wondering if it's worth making the switch.

[ad47uk]

It can be linked to any app that allows you to buy products, as Nabs said they have a API that developers can use. 

[Nabs]

@ad47uk you're spot on, if you drop your contactless card you could lose a lot more. If you were to drop your pin or pattern protected smartphone it would be unusable. Potential financial loss = £0

[Nabs]

@gideon no requirement for an NFC SIM it works with the NFC built into the phone.
If your bank supports Android Pay then I'd go with that, would save the faff about having to load money onto the Vodafone account

[ad47uk]

One big problem is how Secure is Android? certainly the older versions. IOS whihc is what the Iphone uses is pretty secure and you got one maufacture for the phones, Android have a load of manufactures including some cheap chinese ones, can they be trusted?

Android itself have some holes in, even if I loved the idea of contactless payment, not sure if I would want it on my Android phone.

[Nabs]

@as47uk a computer is only as secure as the owner makes it. If appropriate steps are taken to ensure your Android device is secure (ie install the latest updates, have security software running, have a strong passion/pattern) there shouldn't be an issue.

[ad47uk]

@Nabs, I understand what you are saying, i do have security software running and my phone ius updated to as far as it can and this is a problem. If Android pay is going to run on older version of Android then  these phones are going to have security problems.

I have a Nexus 4, which is one of Google baby and they are not updating iut anymore, but i can still use Android pay on it.

[jeffkinn]

I'm quite certain that the security fears are almost unfounded and no worse than using a credit card in a machine in, for e.g., a petrol station.

I've just used Apple Pay in a branch of Iceland and although the phone registered the transaction the till didn't and the store is adamant that the transaction, although authorised, will not be collected from the card. I paid again using the same card as I had it in my wallet and will be keeping a careful eye on the transactions to make sure I only get charged once.

[ad47uk]

This is where cash beats all this plastic money. I hand over the money I know it is paid for.

[jeffkinn]

It's also highly insecure by it's very nature, extremely bulky to carry around, very inconvenient to get and full of fecal germs.

By contrast cards are secure, insured, clean, convenient and not bulky.

There is no contest.