Google Wallet is preparing to launch a new feature that will allow users to convert a physical document into a pass within the app after announcing the functionality earlier this year.
At Google I/O, one of the new announcements about Android was support for “digital text cards” within Google Wallet. The idea here is to scan various types of physical documents using the Wallet app and turn them into a digital card within the app for easy access. This was featured in the “Everything else” section of Google’s initial teaser.
The idea was to allow documents that may not officially support Google Wallet to be stored within the app. Examples of this would be insurance documents, membership cards, or event tickets that do not support Google Wallet.
Now, let’s take a closer look.
People in Android Authority They were able to access the “Everything else” pass settings in Google Wallet, revealing the options that will be provided.
These include:
- Loyalty card
- passport
- Residence permit
- Student ID
- Tax ID Card
- vehicle registration
- Voter ID Card
- Library card
- Health insurance card
- driver’s license
- car insurance card
- Business cards
- last
In the screenshot, it appears that the number of categories was limited to the document being scanned, which was apparently some sort of ID card. Once scanned, you can also manually edit the captured information and even create additional fields.
An image of the original card is stored alongside the digital copy, along with a disclaimer quote that directly states that it is not official or a replacement for the physical copy.
This pass is created by the device owner and may contain inaccurate information. It is not an official identity or a substitute for actual identity, and cannot be used for verification.
Especially when it comes to ID cards, the usefulness of creating these digital copies is probably limited. Google Wallet is slowly getting support for driver’s licenses and passports in line with government regulations, but it’s hard to say where these digital copies could be useful beyond just easy access to the numbers and information on them.
Google Wallet’s “Everything else” support isn’t yet enabled in the latest build, v24.26.650309275, but since it works once you manually enable it, it’s a good sign that the feature could be making its debut soon. Google Wallet notification support was widely rolled out in June after being announced alongside “Everything else” in May.
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