So we still don't know the official launch date of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, but we do know that when the handset comes to market, it won't come with support for Google Wallet out of the box. When the news first broke, word was floating around that Verizon had blocked the app and some suggested that the move may have something to do with Big Red's participation in ISIS, but today Verizon Wireless spokesperson Jeffrey Nelson issued a statement in an attempt to clear things up. Nelson explained that Verizon it is not "blocking" Google Wallet and that it "does not block applications." The reason for the lack of Wallet support on the GalNex, Nelson explains, is that it must be integrated with a secure hardware element in the phone itself. Speaking with The Verge andBloomberg, Nelson added that Verizon aims to have "the best security and user experience" and that it's working with Google on the situation. Verizon will allow the use of Google Wallet "when those goals are achieved," Nelson said.
Whatever the reason for the lack of Google Wallet support on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, the fact that customers won't be able to use the device to go on an NFC-fueled shopping spree at places like Walgreens and Subway is kind of a bummer. It's good to hear that Verizon and Google are hammering out the situation, but that doesn't guarantee that Google Wallet will make it to the Verizon GalNex, which means that those of you desperate to try the service out may end up having to look to the Android hacking community. We'll cross our fingers and hope that these two companies can get something figured out. Until then, the full statement from Verizon is below.
Statement From Verizon On Google Wallet
Customer Inquiries
For customer inquiries, please call 800-922-0204 or go to
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12/06/2011
Statement from Jeffrey Nelson, spokesperson for Verizon:
Recent reports that Verizon is blocking Google Wallet on our devices are false. Verizon does not block applications.
Google Wallet is different from other widely-available m-commerce services. Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications. Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones.
We are continuing our commercial discussions with Google on this issue.
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