Pay Back IOUs With Google Assistant

Google has announced that Google Assistant can now be used to pay people back with Google Pay.

“When the weekend’s over, chances are someone owes you (or you owe someone) money for something – Friday night’s concert tickets, Saturday afternoon’s barbecue supplies, or Sunday’s matinee at the movies,” wrote Sam Kansara, product manager, Google Pay, in a blog post. “You can easily send or request money from your contacts – for free – using the Assistant on Android and iOS phones in the U.S. In the coming months, you’ll be able to send money on voice-activated speakers, like Google Home.”

In January, Google announced that it was combining Android Pay and Google Wallet under one brand: Google Pay.

In a blog post, Pali Bhat, VP of product management, payments at Google, said the company was making it easier to utilize all of the different ways to pay with Google.

“With Google Pay, it’ll be easier for you to use the payment information saved to your Google account, so you can speed through checkout with peace of mind,” wrote Bhat. “Over the coming weeks, you’ll see Google Pay online, in store and across Google products, as well as when you’re paying friends.”

Kansara went on to explain that even if you haven’t already signed up for Google Pay, you’ll be prompted to set up an account as soon as you ask the Assistant to send money. Funds are transferred almost instantly, even if the other person doesn’t have a Google Pay account. They will then be notified via email, text message or notification if they already have the Google Pay app, and they access the money.

“To get started, just say ‘Hey Google, request $20 from Sam for the show tonight’ or ‘Hey Google, send Jane $15 for lunch today’ and let your Google Assistant do the rest,” added Kansara.