Google integrates Wallet app with Google Checkout

Google streamlines their e-commerce platform just in time for the holidays

In a move that has susrprised no one, Google has merged its Google Checkout with Google Wallet to create a single electronic payment service that works on both Web browsers or mobiles devices. Google Checkout was created a few years ago as an e-commerce outlet for the Web browser, while Google Wallet debuted in September 2011 as essentially the same thing for mobile.

The company is also beginning the process of integrating Google Wallet as the preferred payment method for their many outlets, such as Android Market, YouTube, and Google+ Games.

Google Wallet works at participating retail stations in the same way a credit card does. Google Wallet uses a "tap and pay" function, wherever Mastercard paypass stations are used. Users can pass their Google Wallet-functional mobile devices over the paypass stations to pay for retail purchases, the same way they could with a credit card.

If users have a Citi Mastercard connected to the Wallet app, then retail transactions draw electronically directly from users' credit accounts. Those without a Citi Mastercard card account can set up a Google pre-paid card, which can be funded with the user's existing credit card accounts.

Translation: the Mastercard interacts directly with the retail station, while other credit accounts use a separate Google account as a go-between.

Google has notified users who have both Wallet and Checkout to just use Wallet from now on. The credits from both accounts will be merged automatically. Users who have Checkout accounts, but who have not yet opened Wallet accounts, can automatically transfer the old service to a new Wallet account, the next time they sign in or make a purchase online.

Google has also set up a Wallet Management dashboard and Wallet Help Center, if you get lost.

"We're committed to upgrading our payment solutions for merchants while ensuring they’re able to process payments without interruption during the holidays -- so shoppers using Google Wallet will be able to make purchases seamlessly on merchant sites that accept Google Checkout," said Ben Lee, Product Manager, Google Wallet, on the company's Commerce Blog.