ANDROID phone users are angry after Google killed off an app.
The “disorganized” tech giant has left people bewildered by its latest “unbelievable decision.”
The firm has axed its Google Pay app, reported Ars Technica.
"Google Wallet takes over app duties, but it looks like Google is quitting P2P [peer-to-peer] payments," it added on Monday.
Instead of Google Pay, customers can instead use Google Wallet - a digital wallet that allows you to securely store your cards, tickets, passes, keys, and IDs, explained Google.
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But, Ars Technica pointed out, the situation is baffling for customers.
That's partly because the tech giant has killed the Google Pay app in the US, yet in-store NFC [contactless] payments still appear to be branded Google Pay.
FAILED LAUNCHES
"Remember, this is Google's dysfunctional payments division," added Ars Technica.
"So all that's happening is Google Payment app No. 3 (Google Pay) is being shut down in favor of Google Payment app No. 4 (Google Wallet).
"The shutdown caps off the implosion of Google's payments division after a lot of poor decisions and failed product launches."
That sentiment has been echoed on Reddit, where people have this week been scratching their heads over yet another payment app change.
They just killed their payment platform... mad lads.
Google Pay user
"Google Pay isn't going anywhere as a service, but the app is now Google Wallet in the US too," said one person on the website.
"No wonder I was so confused."
"Honestly unbelievable. They are so disorganized at Google," ranted another.
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“Google Pay is dead which was supposed to fully replace Google Wallet, which in the end is replaced by Google Payment," wrote one person.
“No, it’s not a joke.
"Déjà vu? Have you heard about Google Hangout, Google Chat, and the other countless messaging apps of Google?”
"Isn't Wallet the latest one?" asked one confused person.
Another responded: "Wallet is the 4th (and formerly first) brand name used for the contactless NFC payments manager."
LIKED IN INDIA
"Hi, I’m Google. For your convenience I’ve made it as difficult as humanly possible to get customer support," joked one Reddit user.
"They just killed their payment platform... mad lads," wrote an unamused person.
"As much as I mourn the loss of a mildly short lived Google product, did anyone actually use it?" asked another.
They were told that "it's the second most used payments app in India."
NO DRAMAS
But, several people dismissed the online ranting as pointless drama.
"Replaced with Google payment. Not news," wrote one person.
"I don't see what the problem is. Are we upset because they changed the name a few times?" asked another on Reddit.
"I've been using Google Pay/Wallet for years; never had a problem, never been confused."
The app kill-off initially prompted a conversation four months ago on Reddit, where one person tried to sum up the then looming situation.
I don't see what the problem is. Are we upset because they changed the name a few times?
Google user
They explained that Google had previously split up Play and Wallet "for some unknown reason."
"Now they're killing one of the apps, along with a bunch of its functionality, and going back to just one."
"If I remember right, it was because they wanted to make a dedicated Pay app for India because of some specific realities of that market," suggested one person on Reddit.
"Then [Google] decided to try and port that to other places like the US.
"Then when everyone not in India hated it, they now decided to undo it all."
Google Wallet is now available in India, but won’t replace Google Pay, confirmed 9to5Google.
How to use new Google Wallet lock
According to 9to5Google, Android owners should follow these steps:
- Open Google Wallet
- Tap the profile image
- Select Wallet settings
- Scroll to the new Security tab
- Open the Verification settings
- Here you'll find a Transit payments option which lets you change your verification settings
