Google Wallet for kids will launch in 2025. “Following the positive response to tap-to-pay on the Fitbit Ace LTE device, we’re expanding tap-to-pay for kids to Google Wallet,” Google wrote in a statement to 9to5Google. Parents can approve credit and debit cards added to kids’ phones, and Google’s Family Link will let them view transactions and easily approve or remove cards.
The service will build on the tap-to-pay functionality in Google’s Fitbit Ace LTE kids’ activity tracker. The expansion will see the Google Wallet app become available to kids using Android phones whose parents have set up Family Link and approved access.
Any of parents’ existing payment cards in Google Wallet can be used for the kids’ spinoff. When making payments, kids will need to approve tap-to-pay purchases using standard authentication options (fingerprint, facial recognition, PIN, or password). At launch, the service is said to support gift cards and event tickets, but not online purchases, identity or health cards.
Apple already has a similar approach when it comes to kids’ purchases. Families in the company’s ecosystem can let their kids use Apple Pay in stores and online, or send money via Messages with Apple Cash Family.
9to5Google says Google’s payments for kids feature will start rolling out next year to “some Google Wallet users in several countries,” including the US. It’s expected to be rolled out more broadly sometime after that.
The search giant announced on Wednesday that Google is partnering with The Associated Press to bring real-time information from the news agency to its Gemini app. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The deal builds on an existing partnership Google has with The Associated Press to get real-time information for its search engine. Google said of the deal, “This [Gemini app] will be particularly helpful for users who are looking for up-to-date information.”
“AP and Google’s longstanding relationship is built on working together to provide timely, accurate news and information to a global audience,” said Kristin Heitman, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for The Associated Press. “We’re pleased that Google has recognized the importance of AP’s journalism as well as our commitment to nonpartisan reporting in the development of its generative AI products.”
In 2023, The Associated Press was among the first news publishers to partner with an AI firm, signing a two-year deal with OpenAI that gave the company access to select news content from 1985.
Since then, several other publishers have followed suit with their own agreements. In fact, just earlier today, Axios announced a three-year deal with OpenAI under which the AI startup will fund four new local newsrooms. Last year, OpenAI partnered with People publisher Dotdash Meredith, a deal that has since been reported to be worth at least $16 million a year.