Apple and Google Rivalry

It looks as if Apple and Google are going to continue their rivalry as both continue to fight for dominance in the mobile wallet space.  According to 9to5mac, leaked images emerged of the next iPhone, and many are speculating that a chip which appears at the top of the leaked image is in fact a near field communication chip (NFC).  NFC technology provides the capability for phones to connect within a certain range using communications through radio.  The most prominent example of how NFC technology is used is in mobile payments, like scanning your phone over a point of sale.  Google Wallet has already implemented this into its devices last year.

Some say that the leaked pictures of the iPhone chip show that Apple is getting ready to launch its own mobile payment system.  This is mere speculation at this point, but if Apple does in fact carry through with it, competition between Apple and Google would be fierce.  Apple has released a beta version of Passbook, and in September it will become a native app for all iOS6 devices.  Passbook will store all a person's coupons, tickets, cards, and passes in one organized app.

Google Wallet, on the other hand, would mirror Passbook's functions.  When Google Wallet was first launched last year, it only held one credit card and was very limited in terms of use.  But now, the head of product management has mentioned that they plan on making Google Wallet a storage hub for everything that is inside a person's wallet, including ID cards, loyalty cards, gift cards, and transportation passes.  Some of these are already a part of Google Wallet, but there is always room to add more.  

Google Wallet and Passbook are very similar in terms of functionality and there is no doubt that competition between the two firms in the mobile payments arena is going to be cut throat.  Google Wallet's one year head start doesn't seem to make much of a difference.  Passbook has generated much more buzz than Google Wallet, so I'm betting on Passbook's victory.

Check out PassK.it so you can try out Passbook today.  You can download sample passes and even use their pass creator (when it is launched) to design your own Passbook passes.