Latest Payment Method? The Human Voice
MOUNTAINVIEW, Calif.—Looking to make payments even simpler, Google has unveiled Hands Free, a new smartphone app that lets users pay for purchases by simply by using their voice.
The system is being piloted in southern San Francisco and could be used in a number of stores and restaurants, including some of McDonald's and Papa John's outlets, as well as some local establishments in the area, HNGN.com reported.
Hands Free uses a combination of Bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi and location services in order to allow the app to communicate with cash registers in participating stores. In order to confirm a purchase, a user would simply need to say, "I'll pay with Google."
Though a voice-activated system such as Hands Free could pose security risks, Google has included a number of safety features in the system, HNGN reported. Upon saying, "I'll pay with Google," the person at the counter would be able to confirm the user's identity by matching the user's face with that of his/her Hands Free profile.
Also, in participating stores, Google is using an in-store camera to automatically confirm a Hands Free user's identity. Google stated that all images and data from the in-store cameras are automatically deleted.
Hands Free is a completely separate entity from Google’s Android Pay.