Google Surprises Users With New Feature, Allows Monetary Transactions Via Gmail

Google has surprised users on Tuesday as it announced incorporating money transaction services with Gmail messages. The message senders will not be allowed to send and receive money via Gmail messages. The best part is that they would not need to sign up for any separate app to do so.

Google has integrated its Google Wallet feature into Gmail for Android users, Greenbot mentioned. This will enable users to send or request monetary transactions without having to switch to the Square, Venmo, or other transaction-based applications. The users will be able to attach payments along with their Gmail messages as soon as they update their software through Play Store.

"Recipients are able to receive or request money right from the email itself-without having to install another payment app. They can even arrange for money they receive to go directly into their bank account. Either way, it's completely free for both of you," Google explained.

To ensure using the new Google app, users have to tap the paper clip icon as they do while attaching files in Gmail emails. There they get two options - Send money, and Request money. The users are required to select the option they need to use. They will also need to write a note while selecting the payment source. The note gets attached to the Gmail message as its body. They can click the send button to disburse the money. On the other hand, when users require receiving money, they need to tap Claim money and it will get transferred to their Google Wallet account automatically.

"Whether you're splitting a dinner bill or planning a group trip, you now have a fee-free way to work out the details and settle up without ever leaving the Gmail app on Android," Sam Kansara, the product manager at Google, wrote in his blog post as quoted by PC Mag.