UK users of Google's Gmail will soon be able to send and receive money directly through their emails. The tech giant's Send Money service is being rolled out as a feature to the UK, after being available for years in America. Expected to launch in the next few weeks, Send Money combines Google Wallet with Gmail to let users click a icon to enter a sum of money, attaching it to the email and sending that to a contact's bank account. Advertisement - Article continues below Firstly though, users must have a Google Wallet account linked to their debit or credit card. Those that do can send and receive money, and store any received sums in their Wallet Balance, choosing to spend it in Google Play or websites that accept the Gmail Wallet service. The firm added in a blog post: "People in the UK will now be able to quickly and securely send money to friends and family in the UK directly within desktop Gmail -- even if the recipient doesn't have a Gmail address." Users will know they have got the service when they see the icon inside a new email. The move positions Google to rival a glut of other peer-to-peer payment services, such as PayPal, Snapchat's Snapcash feature and a rumoured upcoming service from Facebook. Banks are hurrying to innovate in this area too in order to not be left behind, with these new services offering better rates on international transfers than your typical high street bank. Successful digital transformations are future ready - now Research findings identify key ingredients to complete your transformation journey Cyber security for accountants 3 ways to protect yourself and your clients online The future of database administrators in the era of the autonomous database Autonomous databases are here. So who needs database administrators anymore? The IT expert’s guide to AI and content management Your guide to the biggest opportunities for IT teams when it comes to AI and content management
Google will launch its peer-to-peer payment service, Send Money, in the UK over the coming weeks. The facility is available only to Gmail users who have Google Wallet accounts, and allows money to be sent via email, even to recipients without Gmail addresses. The service has been available in the US for several years. The move pits Google squarely against rivals PayPal and Snapchat’s Snapcash, while a similar service from Facebook is also reportedly in the works.