Google has announced that it is working on a new feature for its Pixel Watch allowing the use of Google Wallet to validate contactless public transport tickets.
Currently, many connected watches already offer contactless payment systems. We obviously think of Apple Pay systems on Apple Watch, Garmin Pay, Fitbit Pay, Samsung Wallet or Google Wallet on watches equipped with Google’s Wear OS system – as well as on the latest connected watches from Fitbit.
But, until now, these systems using the NFC chips of connected watches were satisfied with that: contactless payment. It is impossible to take advantage of this near-field communication to validate your ticket on public transport, for example. This function is however increasingly integrated into the NFC systems of smartphones, whether they run on Android or iOS.
Google would precisely seek to extend the functionalities of the NFC chip of its own connected watch, the Pixel Watch. As the site relays Android Police, Google has indeed published on its forums, on November 18, a FAQ aimed at answering questions from Internet users about the Pixel Watch. What to discover not only Google’s answers about the functions already present on the watch – in particular the fact that the watch is not compatible with Qi charging by induction – but also about future features.
Validation of the transport ticket directly from the Pixel Watch
Thus, to the question ” can I add my transit card to Google Wallet on my Pixel Watch? Google gave a rather interesting answer:
Currently, you can’t add your transit card to Wallet on Pixel Watch. We plan to bring this feature to our users in a future update (note: in Japan, Suica is supported). This feature is present in Google Pay and is called Felica).
Google therefore seeks to offer public transport subscription cards in the Wallet application on Wear OS. Nevertheless, many unknowns remain, whether it’s the date on which we can expect the deployment of this functionality or the public transport authorities that will integrate it – will the RATP in Paris, Ilévia in Lille or TCL in Lyon are planned. In addition, it is not known if this function will be exclusive to Google’s Pixel Watch or if it will be offered on Google Wallet in general, that is to say on all Wear OS watches – in particular the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro – and the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 which have been using Google’s NFC card management system for a week.
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