Google Wallet A Hit, But Still Only Available On Limited Number Of Devices

Google Wallet allows users to shop without having to pull out a credit card or even bring that wallet, but there’s a catch–right now it only works on a limited number of devices.

The mobile shopping app, which this week announced that it is now accepting more credit cards, has earned great reviews from PCWorld.com, but these benefits are only available to people with specific devices. As PCWorld.com points out, Google Wallet right now can only be used with a Galaxy Nexus (Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile), LG Viper (Sprint), LG Optimus (Sprint, Virgin Mobile) , HTC EVO 4G (Sprint), Samsung Galaxy S3, or Nexus 7 tablet.

The Google Wallet app allows shoppers to use the app in place of credit cards, debit cards or even gift cards. The app works on devices with a near-field communication (NFC) chip, which allows them to work with PayPass readers, the receivers that are sometimes attached to credit card readers at checkouts and payment kiosks.

There is another catch PCMag Appscout writer Jill Duffy points out:

Caveat two: To buy something, you have to be in a store that has a PayPass device. PayPass adoption simply hasn’t happened with any speed or voracity from a consumer perspective. Even in New York City, the number of merchants with PayPass readers is very small

Even with the limitations, Duffy said that Google Wallet is an effective app and should make mobile users seriously consider buying one of the compatible devices.

Though Google Wallet still has some work to do before it becomes widespread, the app is rapidly improving, the blog TechCrunch points out.Google has been working on a new remote wipe feature that allows users to reset Google Wallet and erase all financial data, the blog reported.