On Thursday Google launched a new Android app which would turn the phone into a mobile wallet. The app uses virtual card which allow handsets to be used for contactless payments. Citibank is the initial partner but the service will expand, including reward schemes, gift cards, boarding passes and possibly even keys as well as credit cards.
Within hours of the launch, Google were being sued by auction giant eBay, who alleged that their trade secrets had been stolen and used in building the technology. The crux of the complaint is that Google Wallet project lead Osama Bedier was poached away from PayPal in the middle of negotiating a deal between Android and eBay-owned PayPal.
Google is yet to respond to the accusations but if the case goes to court and Google loses, it could seriously damage the fledgling service,
Meanwhile, Apple will be watching with interest. Reports suggest they are preparing their own foray into mobile payments. Although reports differ on whether NFC technology will be included in the next generation of their iPhone.
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