Last week, a series of screenshots emerged, signaling that users of Google's Wallet app will soon be able to apply for a physical Google Wallet card. The app explains that the Google Wallet card is designed to be used to make in-store purchases where tap-and-pay functionality isn't available, and can be used "where major credit and debit cards are accepted."
On Tuesday, TechCrunch unearthed further evidence that a Google Wallet card is on the way within Google's own support forums. Under "Get Started with Google Wallet mobile app > Eligible Devices," Google says, "All Android devices with an operation system of Android 2.3.3 or higher are eligible to download the Google Wallet app for use with the Google Wallet card."
A spokesperson for Google declined to comment.
The search giant first unveiled Google Wallet in May 2011. The mobile payment system uses near-field communications (NFC) to let consumers pay for items at retailers using credit card information stored on their smartphones. However, adoption of the technology has been thwarted by the lack of NFC integration in popular devices like the iPhone; retailers, too, have been slow to adopt it. Introducing a physical card would potentially help the service gain traction before mobile payment systems become the norm.