Osama Bedier talks about Google Wallet at NFC Payments Europe Conference

We all know about the contentious subject circulating regarding how Google developed its Google Wallet and where it got the staff from to do so. But there can be no doubt that the Google Wallet product is innovative beyond anything else announced in the marketplace. Today Osama Bedier, VP of payments for Google, spoke about the investment the company had put into Google Wallet and elaborated on a few issues that were left unclear after the launch event.

Speaking from the Regents Park Marriott, London Bedier wanted to disperse worries and rumors that had started circulating supposing that Google intended to charge businesses for utilizing Google Wallet with hidden charges. Google, aiming to win hearts and minds with the open nature of its Google Wallet and Google Offers products said the rumors were ”an unfounded suspicion.” Google has been very open and clear about its plans to lay the foundations for a new revenue earning ad platform to join its successful AdWords and AdMob platforms in the form of Google Offers.

Speaking about why Bedier chose to join Google to work on Google Wallet

As could probably be expected, Osama Bedier wanted to speak about his decision to move to Google which has been the subject of a lawsuit filed by PayPal & eBay against Bedier, Google and Osama’s colleague, Stephanie Tilenius, Google‘s current VP of Commerce. Referring to his move to Google, Bedier told NFC World that ”Larry and Eric personally convinced me”. Defending the decisions he and Google have made with its Google Wallet and Google Offers platforms Bedier said, “It is in our [Google] nature to make big bets… it gives you strategic options down the road.” This is a particularly interesting comment which suggests the Google mantra is to beg forgiveness rather than to ask for permission, and it suggests the search giant’s cash war chest allows them to do this. It is probably more cost effective for them to build what they want, whoever else is in the marketplace and then duke out the legal battles after they have launched. There is no doubt the advantage Google has received from being first to market with its Google Wallet already becoming synonymous with NFC payments.

Beyond the wallet for Google Wallet

Bedier told the delegates at the NFC Payments Europe Conference that Google Wallet is going to evolve beyond digital payments, giving example of the product eventually being able to store drivers licenses and keys. This is great news for NFC and shows that Google intends to support the maturing technology further. It also sets the bar higher for Apple to reach, but until Google can negate security fears in the minds of the public devoting more of our personal information and security to our cell phones will slow the potential infiltration of NFC technology being utilized in our wireless gadgets. Whether these fears are rational appears to be beside the point until Google Wallet is released, but it has served as a main topic in the media since it was announced two weeks ago.

More on the Google Wallet & Google Offers API

Speaking to the NFC Payments Conference Europe delegates, Osama Bedier took time to speak about Google’s open and inclusive approach it intends for Google Wallet. On the subject of SDK’s and API’s Bedier shared that the Google Wallet  included a full set of calls that supported “Offer Clippings” utilizing the very same technology Google itself uses for its Google Offers program. It was also confirmed that there would be no charges for anyone utilizing any of the Google Offers API’s and that even applies to competitors like Groupon and Living Social, stating ”We’ve created a platform where anyone can play, provided they play by the rules”.

This shows Google’s commitment to creating what it terms as a MoLo (Mobile Local e-commerce) ecosystem, which allows everyone to build upon and grow Google’s platform and its relevance in everyday life.

We are looking forward to Google Wallet and Google Offers arriving in September here in the U.S. and from the sounds of it, those across the pond won’t be far behind. We also find it interesting what tidbits were  shared by the Google executive at an industry conference such as NFC Payments Conference Europe and how impacting they will be in the coming months and years. If nothing else, it gives us plenty to mull over while we wait for the real launch.

Americans feeling left out for not having a conference like NFC Payments Europe closer to home needn’t worry as NFC Insights, who run and manage the event, are planning the NFC Payments America Conference as we speak which is expected to happen in Miami and we hope to meet a few of you there where we will no doubt hear more about Google Wallet and affiliated products.