Google Pay Redesigned on Android and iOS

Google announced a major redesign of its Google Pay app on Android and iOS that provides better functionality and security. The app is used by over 150 million people in 30 countries every month, the firm says.

“The new app is designed around your relationships with people and businesses,” Google VP Caesar Sengupta writes. “It helps you save money and gives you insights into your spending. It’s built with multiple layers of security to keep your money and information private and safe. And in 2021, it will give you the chance to apply for a new kind of digital bank account with trusted financial institutions.”

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Launching first in the U.S., the new Google Pay drops the stack of credit cards and other payment methods for a new conversational-based UI with lists of the people, groups, and businesses with which you do business. Google says the app will help you split restaurant bills, rent, and other expenses with others, and help you save money via offers from brands like Burger King, Etsy, REI Co-op, Sweetgreen, Target, Warby Parker, and more. And if you connect the app to your bank account, Google Pay will give you a clearer view of your finances with spending summaries, trends, and insights over time.

Perhaps most interesting, Google will soon offer Pay users access to a new mobile-first bank account called Plex in partnership with financial institutions.

“Accounts are offered by banks and credit unions, include checking and savings accounts with no monthly fees, overdraft charges or minimum balance requirements and help you save toward your goals more easily,” Sengupta notes. 11 banks and credit unions will offer Plex accounts in Google Pay starting in 2021.

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Conversation 8 comments

  • crunchyfrog

    19 November, 2020 - 10:51 am

    <p>Wait, another redesign, how many is this up to now?</p>

  • garethb

    Premium Member
    19 November, 2020 - 11:07 am

    <p>So, will I still be able to pay for stuff from a card? </p><p><br></p><p>Or is that too much of a 2019 feature? I just wasn't to use my phone instead of a card. Did anyone actually say they wanted a conversational UI with businesses.? </p>

    • darkgrayknight

      Premium Member
      19 November, 2020 - 11:47 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#594211">In reply to GarethB:</a></em></blockquote><p>yeah, this just sounds weird and not the approach that anyone would actually use.</p><p>Though the idea sounds almost like the people hub of Windows Phone, which was a good idea, but doing that with payments is not really making sense. A choice of payments is based on where my money is, not where I'm making my purchase.</p>

    • jgraebner

      Premium Member
      19 November, 2020 - 1:12 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#594211">In reply to GarethB:</a></em></blockquote><p>I downloaded and played with the update a bit. The existing functionality of paying with cards (including NFC payments) is still there, although it's no longer front and center on the interface. In some ways, that might make sense as payment is now accessible from the power button menu, so it isn't really needed to go into the app for that.</p><p><br></p><p>It looks like they are kind of trying to turn this into something similar to Mint or Quicken for tracking all your accounts. Not really sure that makes sense for this app, though. Besides that, it looks like they are very directly going after Paypal and Venmo.</p>

  • Pbike908

    19 November, 2020 - 11:18 am

    <p>I may have to give it a try…So far, I haven't used any of the phone payment systems.</p>

  • crunchyfrog

    19 November, 2020 - 1:08 pm

    <p>Wait, a Plex account? I think the people at Plex might not like this name being hijacked.</p>

  • jgraebner

    Premium Member
    19 November, 2020 - 1:16 pm

    <p>I'm a bit surprised that they are using the name "Plex" for their digital accounts considering that there is already a pretty well known app by that name.</p>

  • codymesh

    21 November, 2020 - 2:42 am

    <p>a conversation-based design for payments? not sure if I like this…</p>

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