What is Google Wallet?

Google Wallet is a smart virtual wallet.It is the first mobile payment system developed by Google to store credit cards, loyalty cards and gift cards information into the phone.It also allows the users  to redeem sales promotions on  mobile phone itself.It uses Near Field Communication to make payments securely in a fast and convenient way by simply tapping the phone on any PayPass- enabled terminal at checkout.

Google Wallet launch partners include Citi as the issuing bank, MasterCard as the initial payment network, and Sprint as the first mobile carrier.


Why  Google Wallet?

A stolen debit card can be used in some circumstance without a personal identification number (PIN) or signature. The Google Wallet requires a PIN and an additional security.

• The Google Wallet device never leaves the owners hands.
• Google Wallet stores encrypted user information on a computer chip called the Secure Element.
• The Android device itself can be locked with a personal identification number (PIN).
• The Google Wallet app requires an additional PIN to activate the antenna of NFC chip.
• The Google Wallet device must touch or be in close proximity to a MasterCard PayPass reader.
• Once the transaction is completed, the antenna is turned off. Additional transactions require the PIN to be entered again.

Secure Element not only stores data and is required to open the Google Wallet app. The Secure Element memory is separate from the device memory. The chip is designed to only allow trusted programs on the Secure Element itself to access the payment credentials stored therein. The secure encryption technology of the credit card issuing institution protects your payment card credentials as they are transferred from the phone to the reader.

Source : Wikipedia