Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Testing, Testing - One, Two, Hands Free

Calling all South Bay residents: we are piloting a new payment app and would love your feedback!

First, some background. Since we launched Android Pay, we've averaged 1.5 million new registrations each month in the US alone and there are now over 2 million locations that accept tap and pay. But we’re not stopping there—we're busy working to bring the convenience of Android Pay to more countries and a growing list of stores and apps.

At the same time, we also wanted to explore what the future of mobile payments could look like. Imagine if you could rush through a drive-thru without reaching for your wallet, or pick up a hot dog at the ballpark without fumbling to pass coins or your credit card to the cashier. This prompted us to build a pilot app called Hands Free that we’re now in the early stages of testing. It lets you pay in stores quickly, easily, and completely hands-free.
While the pilot is still in early stages, we’ve come to a point where we're ready to invite people in the South Bay to test Hands Free with us. Hands Free is currently available on Android and iOS devices and is rolling out to a small number of McDonald’s, Papa John’s, and local eateries in the area.

Once you’ve installed and set up the app, Hands Free uses Bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi, and location services on your phone to detect whether you’re near a participating store. When you’re ready to pay, you can simply tell the cashier, “I’ll pay with Google.” The cashier will ask for your initials and use the picture you added to your Hands Free profile to confirm your identity.

At select stores, we’re also in the early stages of experimenting with visual identification so that you can breeze through checkout even faster. This process uses an in-store camera to automatically confirm your identity based on your Hands Free profile picture. All images captured by the Hands Free camera are deleted immediately.

To learn more about the Hands Free pilot, please visit the Hands Free website.

We’ll continue to improve the technology behind Hands Free, and we’re excited to hear your feedback. As an added thank you for testing Hands Free, we’re offering up to $5 off your first Hands Free purchase at participating stores.

Posted by Pali Bhat, Senior Director, Product Management

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Fresh grocery delivery to your doorstep

Everyone wants milk delivered with their cookies -- that’s why we're excited to start adding fresh groceries to Google Express. Since we launched Express, you’ve ordered enough water to fill 10.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools and enough toilet paper to circle the earth 15 times. But we’ve also heard your feedback that you’d love for Express to help you check off your entire grocery list, including fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, and frozen foods.

And so today we're launching a pilot in select Los Angeles and San Francisco neighborhoods, so that you can get same-day delivery of your fresh groceries. We’ll start in areas of LA including Pacific Palisades, Westwood, Venice, and Marina del Rey, and in San Francisco neighborhoods such as the Financial District, the Mission, and Potrero Hill, along with many others. You can check the maps below to see if you’re eligible.


Below: pilot coverage areas in Los Angeles and San Francisco

Whether you need to restock your pantry, get some ingredients for tonight’s dinner, or just need some help carrying the heavier stuff -- all you have to do is place your order, and we'll take care of the rest. Fresh grocery deliveries start at $2.99 for members and $4.99 for everyone else, and you can choose when you want them delivered in two-hour windows, available every day. While you’re going about your day, your groceries are kept fresh and cold from the grocery store all the way to your doorstep.

If you’re new to Google Express, sign up now to get a free 3-month trial membership.* Enjoy $15 off your first purchase by entering code TRYGROCERY at checkout.**

We’re always working to make Google Express better, and we hope that fresh groceries make the service even more useful for you.              


Posted by Prabhu Balasubramanian, Product Manager, Google Express



*3-month trial offer expires Jan. 31, 2017. After free trial, membership auto-renews. Cancel at any time.
**Applies only to 1st purchase (even if it’s less than the coupon value). Valid until 3/31/16 while your account’s active. Alcohol, gift cards, membership costs and shipping & service fees excluded. For complete terms and conditions, see g.co/express/trial.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

Send money to anyone in your contact list with Google Wallet

No email? No problem! Now you can send money to anyone in your contact list using just a phone number.



When you send money to a phone number, the recipient will get a text message with a secure link. They can simply enter their debit card to claim the money and it will be available in their bank account within minutes.



To start using this feature, look for a new version of the Google Wallet app on Google Play or in the App Store in the next few days.


Keep the feedback coming
We’re thrilled with the great feedback we’ve received on the new Google Wallet app, and we’re working hard to make the experience even better.



In recent weeks, we’ve released a number of updates, including:
  • Improved contact suggestions, so you see the people you send money to most often first 
  • A security feature that lets you lock the Google Wallet app with the tap of a button 
  • The ability to link a second bank account 



We’d love to hear more about what features you want to see in Google Wallet. Share your feedback with us in the app or on our Twitter or Google+ accounts.



The Google Wallet Team
Get it on Google Play   

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Google Express: you be Santa; we’ll handle the rest

Every year, there’s a joyous feeling in the air as excitement builds to that special holiday moment with friends and family. Leading up to the holiday break, though, we know you have loads to do, like shop for gifts, pick up holiday decor, and (of course) bake cookies for Santa. Last year, folks from Boston, Chicago, DC, Manhattan, West LA and the Bay Area trusted Google Express to get their holiday must-haves delivered — whether it was the gingerbread cookies in the nick of time for the holiday party, festive lights for the home, toys for the kiddos, or an epic ugly sweater for the company contest. This year, we’re thrilled to reach more than 95 million people (nearly 1/3 of the US — hurrah!) with massive new coverage across most of the Midwest and all of California.

Give me s’more, you say? To help with your to-dos, we’re pleased to work with more of your favorite stores so you can relax and do all your holiday shopping in one place — the palm of your hand.
            
Last year, we noticed that average searches for ‘tableware’ grew three times in December compared to the rest of the year, while searches for ‘baking’ related items peaked a week before Christmas. So, to help with your holiday meal prep, we’re delighted to bring you Bed Bath & Beyond and Sur La Table, where you can find bakeware and festive dinnerware perfect for your holiday gatherings.

In the Bay Area, we saw four times the number of searches for ‘Christmas tree’ right after Thanksgiving, while searches for ‘holiday decor’ tripled the week after. This year, we’re thrilled to work with Orchard Supply Hardware and Balsam Hill to have beautiful trees, home decor and so much more, delivered right to your door.

If you haven’t already, sign up for Google Express and get a free 3-month membership trial* to see how we can make your holidays all the merrier. And for a limited time, enjoy $15 off your first purchase by entering code REINDEER15 at checkout.**

Happy shopping and happy holidays!
The Google Express Team

*3-month trial offer expires Jan. 31, 2017. After free trial, membership auto-renews. Cancel at any time.
**Applies only to 1st purchase (even if it’s less than the coupon value). Valid until Dec. 31, 2015 while your account’s active. Alcohol, gift cards, membership costs and shipping & service fees excluded.
For complete terms and conditions, see g.co/express/trial.