When Android Pay Australian release was originally announced in December last year it seemed like an impossibly long wait to get to the end of H1 2016 and the targeted launch of Android Pay.
6 months on we exclusively revealed that testing for Android Pay had indeed commenced in Australia. With the list of supported banks growing from the original list we still held out hope of an Australian launch before the end of 30 June 2016.
Google has this week rolled out Android Pay in Singapore, the second market outside the US to launch the service. Google has strong ties to Singapore, with their Singapore HQ the location for their Asia Pacific operations – just check your Google Store order receipts and you’ll see where you’re actually buying the devices from.
Today, we reach H2 2016 and alas there’s no Android Pay released in Australia announcement, so let us bow our heads in a moment of silence.
In the end, we’ve waited 6 months to get here, we know that some level of testing is in the works. With finances, and security on the line, we’re definitely sure we don’t want Google or the banks to rush this rollout, so we’re ok with waiting a little longer. We all want the new shiny toy, but wouldn’t it be better is that toy worked?
Banking is a heavily regulated and secure industry, this is a good thing. And I would not be surprised to learn that our banks don’t really work the same as international banks. With these regulatory and technicals hurdles to overcome I for one am forgiving of a minor date slippage if it means a reliable consumer product will be launched that will actually work for users.
We are hopeful that whatever testing Google is undertaking with the banks will ‘work out the kinks’ and that Android Pay will be released in Australia very soon. So all that’s left to do is make sure your bank support Android Pay or start shopping for one that does!
Will you be moving banks/getting new accounts to access Android Pay? Let us know below.
