In 2015, the payment technology world set its sights on eliminating the physical wallet from the point-of-sale. Apple Pay, eventually joined by Android Pay and Samsung Pay, together tried to replace the wallet and the swipe of a card with the tap of a smartphone. New innovations in wearable technology hinted at a future in which connected accessories and clothing would eliminate the need for even taking your smartphone out of your pocket or purse.

Now Google is testing a new "Hands Free" app that allows users to pay using nothing but their voice, leaving the hardware (almost) completely out of the equation. 

The app still relies on the payers' smartphone for its low-power Bluetooth, WiFi and location services, which help it detect and connect to participating stores. But, because all of this can be done in the background, customers can pay with Hands Free without tapping their device.  

When they're ready to pay, customers simply say to the cashier, "I'll pay with Google," and their phone sends their photo and initials to the point-of-sale terminal. After confirming the payers' initials and comparing them to the photo in their Hands Free account, the cashier can approve the transaction, sending customers on their way in a matter of moments. 

As innovative as Hands Free may be at this stage, it represents only a starting point for Google, which says it is "in the early stages of experimenting" with a camera-based system that would be able to verify a payer's identity automatically. 

For now, though, the Hands Free app is only available at select locations in San Francisco, where Google is testing the process before planning a nationwide rollout. 

At Vantage, we're experienced in helping merchants determine which payment processing solutions are right for their business models. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions, ask a question or schedule a consultation.