Google Buys Softcard’s Technology, Gets Deal With U.S. Carriers
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Google Inc. has acquired technology and patents from Softcard, a mobile-wallet service backed by the three-biggest U.S. wireless providers, as the Web company takes on Apple Inc. to offer more payment features on smartphones.
AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc. will work with Google to pre-install the Google Wallet application on newer Android phones, the Mountain View, California-based company said in a blog post Monday. As part of the deal, Google is acquiring assets from Softcard to improve its payments service.