Google Wallet now available for a select group of users

As of today, Google's Wallet service is officially available, according to a post on the official Google blog. Now that the program is live, owners of Sprints Nexus S 4G and a Citi Mastercard will be able to process payments through Google with a tap of plastic on plastic. It's a small audience, but one Google plans to quickly expand.

Google Wallet works through near-field communications (NFC), a system that uses RFID tags to communicate between two capable devices. Once logged into the system, users who have connected their Citi Mastercard to their Nexus S 4G phone will be able to pay for items by tapping their phone to a card reader at participating stores.

The launch is not only limited to certain customers, but also to specific retail partners. The primary base of retail stores includes pharmacy chains like Rite Aid, CVS, and Duane Reade, with some representation in stores like New York and Company, Footlocker, Best Buy, and Home Depot.

read the rest