Yesterday, Google announced that Google Pay was being officially launched with new branding and app updates. The update to the old Android Pay app is now rolling out and it brings not only a name change, but a substantial user experience update. The first public version of Google Pay for Android is 1.53 and it will replace your Android Pay app on your phone when you get the OTA update.
When you first open the app, you will immediately see the improvements in the app. It has a light theme to it and has a two-tab bottom navigation. The Home screen has a carousel of all of your cards and payment options at the top. Simply slide to the card you want to use while you are paying at a terminal to use that card. If you want to make it your default card, just long press it.
This new carousel should make it much easier to switch cards prior to making a purchase over the old Android Pay app.
Google Pay Home Screen
Below the card carousel on the home page are information cards. These look similar to the Google Feed in the Google app. You will find cards showing you how to use Google Pay at a pay terminal, what apps you can configure to use G Pay on your phone and, a very handy new card, nearby locations that accept G Pay as a payment option.
Google Pay Places Nearby
Moving over to the Cards tab, you will find that it better organized than the old Android Pay app. All your cards and payment services are in the top Payment Methods while your Rewards, Gift Cards and Offers are found in the section below it.
Google Pay Cards Page
On the Cards tab is where you will find the FAB (Floating Action Button) to add new cards, loyalty program cards and gift cards to your Google Pay app. You can also add PayPal and Visa Checkout from the FAB too.
Overall, this is a refreshing change to the payment app that feels much more polished and modern.
