We wrote about it yesterday and today it has been confirmed that Google has purchased Softcard’s contactless payments patents and technology, presumably to integrate into Google Wallet, which will be pre-loaded by the 3 carriers who are the share holders of Softcard.
In a press release Softcard writes:
We have some important news to share: Softcard has completed a deal with Google to bring together leading technologies to advance mobile wallets. Google has acquired Softcard technology and capabilities to power the next generation of mobile payments. Please see Google’s blog post here.
For now, Softcard customers can continue to tap and pay with the app. We will share more information with customers and partners in the coming weeks.
Softcard was founded in 2010 by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless and pioneered NFC-based mobile payments and commerce in the U.S. by offering merchants more options and consumers a safer, simpler way to shop, pay and save using mobile phones. Today’s announcement is a positive step forward for the mobile payments industry and wireless consumers.
For now contactless payments should continue to work with the Windows Phones which have it enabled, but as the technology and service transitions to Google wallet is seems likely Windows Phone support will be orphaned very soon.
We contacted Softcard for a statement on on-going Windows Phone support, but they merely said:
Thanks for reaching out. What is included in Softcard’s blog post is all we are sharing at this time. You can also check out Google’s blog post for details as well.