Google/Softcard Drop Windows Phone Support

Google Wallet has a long, intriguing past as a mobile payments provider. Recent news that Google was purchasing 'technology' from Softcard, a mobile payments startup founded by carriers to combat Wallet, only made their option more interesting to us. Though we're not privy to the ins and outs of what the deal entails, we are learning that Windows Phone wasn't invited to the party, as Google/Softcard have dropped the platform. There's no evidence iOS is affected in any significant way, so this is an offensive on Windows mobile.

With their Softcard deal, Google purchased (not licensed — purchased) some 'technology' from the company. It seems part of the deal was also to drop support for Windows Phone.

Via an FAQ on their site, we find that Softcard is 'terminating' their Windows Phone app. The company didn't provide a date for the shutdown, suggesting it was a line-item in their deal with Google, and details will be hammered out later on. There was no workaround provided.

Further, Softcard is encouraging their Android users to download Wallet, saying their app will shut down there as well. Google hasn't outlined any plans to bring Wallet to Windows, so it seems Windows' new mobile payment solution is all their users will have.

Softcard users are being encouraged to migrate to Google Wallet, but Wallet doesn't seem to be expanding its reach. For iOS users, it's not that troublesome — they've now got Google Wallet and Apple Pay to consider. Android already has Wallet, which just got better with this Softcard deal. Windows — well, we hope Windows Wallet is all their users want and need.

Source: Softcard

Via: Windows Central