Android Pay Goes Beyond Mobile to Loyalty, E-Commerce

Google is helping developers cut steps out of the path to accepting digital payments with several key moves unveiled around the Google I/O developers conference taking place this week.

The company unveiled its PaymentRequest API for developers that want to tap into Android Pay directly from their e-commerce and mobile websites, according to reports from Google's annual developer conference. Developers can use PaymentRequest to obtain payment details from Android Pay users, who confirm their purchase with their device's fingerprint scanner. The feature is being introduced to Google's Chrome browser and will be expanded to other browsers eventually, according to Ars Technica.

Google has also enhanced its Save to Android Pay API, which enables consumers to add loyalty and gift cards to the mobile wallet by clicking on a link sent by a retailer, the report said. The new, streamlined process also enables consumers to enroll for loyalty programs or rewards cards in stores.

Separately, Google is breaking down the barriers to working with banks, with Bank of America on board to enable ATM access via Android Pay, TechCrunch reports. Google is also making it easier to link Android Pay to mobile banking apps, according to the report.

The new capabilities are part of a set of tools to streamline paying with Android Pay, including Instant Apps. By tapping the Instant App URL, an entire app instantly loads on a consumer’s mobile device, complete with Android Pay embedded. Users can harness the app’s features without downloading the app, or opt to install the full app.