Over the next six months, Google (GOOG 0.30%) will retire the Google Checkout platform and developers will have to redeem purchases through Google Wallet. For a year now, Google Play customers have used Wallet to make their purchases.
Google says it's making the shift to help merchants "benefit from the growing consumer adoption of mobile commerce." As consumers purchase from multiple devices, Wallet seems to best adapt to developers' and customers' needs.
While most app developers will undergo a seamless transition to Wallet, some developers will see the following changes:
- Sellers of physical goods or services will no longer be able to use Checkout after Nov. 20. Google is providing discounted migration options.
- Google Checkout for the Notifications and/or Order Reports software will need to migrate to replacement software before Nov. 20. The replacement software will be available through Google Play.
Developers that sell apps or in-app products in Google Play will soon have access to the new Wallet Merchant Center. There, they'll have access to new reporting and analytic features. Other developers will see the switch to Wallet over the next several weeks.
