Smartphones are set to potentially replace wallets entirely, with Google Wallet now accepted at 65 Bay Area Gap stores offering a 15% discount for users. This system allows payments via NFC technology using compatible cards and has online functionality, raising concerns about security risks. Google's initiative, alongside others like Amazon and Apple, aims to simplify micropayments and create new opportunities for digital marketers as the service expands.

1. Think
Your
Wallet is
Obsolete

2. Smartphones have made a ton
of daily activities

3. But they’ve failed to reduce the amount
of junk we carry around
in our pockets

4. An unfortunate fact for fans of skinny jeans

5. That may be about t

6. Credit Cards
have replaced
Cash

7. If has its way,
our smartphones may be about to
replace our wallets entirely

8. Now if they could
only replace
key chains

9. 65 Bay area GAP stores have begun accepting
Google Wallet payments
In fact, they’re offering
15% off to those who use
Google Wallet to make
purchases through the
end of February.

10. To make one of these payments, you simply need a
Citi PayPass eligible MasterCard or a Google prepaid card,
plus the Google Wallet app

11. You pay by simply tapping your phone at checkout,
enabling the NFC (Near Field Communication)
magic to happen.

12. You can also use it online.

13. Some of you are probably thinking about
what a huge security risk this
phone-wallet idea presents.

14. We agree it’s
hard to fully

15. Imagine you lose
your phone,
what then?

16. Of course, Google tries to
calm those fears in its FAQ

17. The most important thing about
Google Wallet isn’t the novelty factor

18. It’s the Google Wallet purchases
you’ll make online –
micropayments.

19. Google, along with Amazon, Apple, and Facebook,
are leveraging their ecosystems to
make it easy to pay for items
without ever having to set down our smartphones…
with a tap, a click, credits, or whatever

20. Google Wallet payments are already being
accepted by a number of online retailers.

21. Google Wallet will present
huge opportunities
for digital marketers –
once they open it up to smaller players.