Google’s Android Pay mobile payment system lets you use your smartphone like a credit card. Just tap it against a machine when you’re checking out at thousands of stores and your phone will automatically apply any applicable loyalty cards and charge your credit card, bank account, or other payment method.
While Android Pay is currently only available in the US, Google plans to begin rolling out the service internationally in 2016. First up? Google says Android Pay is heading to Australia in the first half of the year.
Google plans to bring Android Pay to other markets next year as well, but the company isn’t saying yet which regions will get the service.
Android Pay is also learning new tricks: Google says now you can use it to pay for in-app content, allowing you to use linked accounts to pay for goods without typing in a credit card or debit card number.
Google is partnering with some companies to offer discounts when you use Android Pay in certain apps such as OpenTable, Lyft, and DoorDash.
Meanwhile, the number of financial institutions that support Android Pay continues to grow. TD Bank just rolled out support. On the other hand, some companies continue to drag their feet while working on their own competing mobile payment solutions.