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Google prepares for payments through Google Assistant in latest beta update

Google has promised a lot for the future of Google Assistant, but there’s still a lot of work to do until we get all the features seen in the original demonstrations. One thing we saw on stage back in October was Assistant interacting with various paid services, and in the latest update to the Google app, the company is taking the first step towards making those integrations official.

As discovered in an APK teardown by XDA, the latest version of the Google app, version 6.11.13 beta, contains strings of code which hint at payments coming to the service soon.

The strings below show that Google Assistant will be able to handle credit cards as most apps do, as well as offering direct links to Google support if assistance is needed. The strings also mention a Google support page which currently isn’t live, but the URL does show that Assistant on Google Home will also have support for payments.

From what we can tell, payments through Assistant/Home will probably be used for delivery services or online shopping. While services like Uber are already supported by Google Home, it seems like these integrations could be used for things such as Google Express Shopping.

Further, the code also suggests that Assistant will feature “shared devices,” but it’s unclear exactly what that means. I would speculate that it would enable payments on a device-by-device basis, so only certain phones and Google Homes can access payment sources, perhaps to keep children from accidentally ordering items.

It’s unclear when Google will roll this out officially, but since the company has already confirmed this will happen, it probably won’t be all that long.

[code]<string name="assistant_payments_preference">assistantPayments</string>

<string name="assistant_settings_payments_add_new_address">Add new address</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_address_line1">Address line 1</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_address_line2">Address line 2 (Optional)</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_gate_code">Gate code (Optional)</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_gate_code_too_long">Max %1$d characters</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_list_title">Delivery address</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_phone_number">Phone number</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_required_field">Required field</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_address_save_error">Error saving address.</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_device_title">Shared devices</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_done_button_text">Done</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_edit_address">Edit address</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_enabled_title">Pay through your Assistant</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_instrument_item_disabled">Disabled</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_instrument_item_expired">Expired</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_instrument_item_inapplicable">Inapplicable</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_instrument_item_needs_fix">Needs fix</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_instrument_item_unknown">Unknown</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_instrument_list_title">Payment method</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_oos_screen_description">Need help? Contact the Google Support Team for assistance</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_oos_screen_title">"Payments isn’t currently available on the Google Assistant"</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_save_button_text">Save</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_accept_button_label">Accept</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_device_description_p1">"You’ll soon be able to pay for things when you use Google Assistant, including on the following shared devices."</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_device_description_p2">Customize which of your shared devices are allowed to help you with payments and other personal tasks, like your calendar and services. You can also turn “Personal results” on or off later in your Assistant settings. <a href="https://support.google.com/googlehome/?p=payments">Learn more</a></string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_devices_title">Confirm shared devices</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_instrument_list_title">Choose card</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_next_button_label">Next</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_shipping_address_title">Choose address</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_splash_screen_button_label">Get started</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_splash_screen_subtitle">Set up payment info and addresses for your packages, groceries, and other purchases</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_splash_screen_title">Set up payment &amp; delivery info</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_setup_terms_of_service_title">Terms of Service</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_summary">Manage payment methods and addresses</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_title">Payments</string>
<string name="assistant_settings_payments_update_error">Error while updating payments settings. Please try again.</string>

<string name="common_device_personal_info_permission_summary">Allow this Google Home to read out your private info like your calendar and flights, display your photos on TV, and help you with orders, reservations, and payments</string>[/code]

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