Have you heard the news? Google does not care for Microsoft nor Windows Phone. In fairness, this is not news, but if you need more evidence of their antagonism, look no further than Softcard.
On Monday, Google announced that they had purchased "technology and intellectual property" from Softcard, essentially acquiring the core of that company's product line. The effort is likely a desperate move to catch up to Apple Pay, which is picking up commercial adoption by many banks and retail outlets.
Softcard is also available in the US for Windows Phone, specifically with Verizon and AT&T being supporters. In fact, the apps only recently became available (although our personal experience with their service was not exactly awe-inspiring). The fate of Softcard for Windows Phone though was not known until now.
Softcard has now made it official: the Windows Phone Softcard app is hereby cancelled. From their FAQ section:
"The Softcard for Windows Phone app will also be terminated. A specific termination date will be provided soon."
No mincing of words there at all. Of course, Softcard no longers owns the technology behind their app, so this makes sense that they will abandon the product. Google is expected to merge the Softcard technology into their own pay system, making the standalone app redundant..
We suppose if you folks need fuel for your anti-Google fire, the Mountain View company just gave you a barrel full. Sound off in comments about their decision and what this means for the Google-Microsoft relationship long term.
Update: Article clarified. Google does not own Softcard, merely their technology behind their services. As such, Softcard discontinuing support for their product is expected, as Google is evidently not interested in continuing the product line for Windows Phone.
Source: Google/Softcard; Thanks, Matthew V., for the tip!
Reader comments
In our face: Softcard ending support for Windows Phone as Google acquires tech
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"don't be evil"
yeah right, usual scroogle is usual
One has to wonder if anyone realizes that Softcard (the carriers behind it) were looking at pulling out of this arena in the first place and this is why they sold the IP to google in the first place. Softcard would very likely of been shut down regardless of google's aquistiion of the service because they could not make a dent in this segment and had made themsleves look bad for blocking Google Wallet and Microsoft's own NFC payment solution (yes MS is/was working/has one) and this was effectively costing them money to continue running... That said pulling them out of the market segment under Google's umbrella and out of the carriers hands may lead to the carrier stopping the blocking of secure element in the sim cards (we can hope) which may lead to more payment solutions popping up in general.
Android's solution for making an API called Android pay could turn out well and one may hope that it might end up being cross platform eventually as well.
Not surprised arrogant bunch
Microsoft should fight fire with fire but they're too uninterested in their own platform to do that.
Just like with Waze! The same!!
All jokes aside, can the Editors put together a poll to see how many users on this site actually used Softcard? I’m willing to bet not many. If it were a successful service, then the carriers wouldn’t have sold the technology behind it and if Google Wallet was a success, then Google wouldn’t need to buy this service. So while it make make headlines, at the end of the day, it's no big loss.
My question is this, where is Microsoft and their wallet. Microsoft is the company that needs to grow, they're the ones that need to innovate. I love my windows phone, but I feel like MS isn't firing on all cylinders for a lot of reasons. They need to make a push on wallet, now! They need to innovate here. Yes google bought softcard and killed it for windows phone. I wasn't upset with them, I'm upset with Microsoft. We shouldn't need softcard.
Yawn.
Softcard content will be cancelled for all three platforms apparently.
Google works at lightning pace when it comes to removing support, I just got the Demin update enabling Softcard too. How short lived.
F*ck you Google
Windows Phone is doomed.
The major carriers in the United States bet their payment systems money on softcard and locked out Google Wallet. The only way for Google to get Wallet into the picture was to do exactly what they did. As stated, MS could have done the same thing but as it loves it's users so much, they decided to keep ya'll safe from the mobile payment demon. Microsoft loves you. It is your best buddy pal.
Microsoft should improve bing.com then block the google search engine in every Windows PC!
The more movement they do, the less I want to go back to Google. Looking for an alternative right now...
Where the hell is the FTC when you actually want then to do something? This is about as anti-competitive behavior as it gets.
FUCK GOOGLE... hates are all around you!!!!
Can Microsoft stop playing nice with Google.. Take One drive, office, Smartglass, Skype and any other product back from Google phones
Don't be evil, said someone.
The carriers are no longer blocking Google Wallet. My brother and I use Wallet frequently. He is on T-Mobile and I'm on Verizon. MS could have gone around the carriers like Google has. For some reason MS chose not to bypass the carriers. This has become another reason to not use Windows Phone.
For past three years or so, I have been avoiding Google products on all cots. Guess what? They are still giving me enough reasons to hate them... >.<
Worst behaviour by google.
Please someone start a class action suit
What ever happened to Google's don't be evil campaign.... Was that just meant for others as they seem to be hell bent on doing a lot of evil recently
So it's screw Windows phone users day today?
all i'm saying is Microsoft better show something no later than //build/ They better have some app and service on par with with apple pay at launch of W10. Dont blame google and dont be mad at them either. Point your fingers directly at MS for not having their own pay system done by this time. google is doing what google does, cant be mad at that.
i wonder what will happen if microsoft blocks google from windows.
Huh, I just got my payment SIM card for this the other day. Oh well.
WindowsCryCentral at it's finest. Look at all the sobbing going on here. smdh
F Google, F Softcard.
Fuck off Google. Glad I left android. You guys are f***ing ducks!!
Google have learned nothing from Microsoft's past. Microsoft had it all and became greedy, abusing of its dominant position. The present is paying them back. Google raised up there as the cool guy "don't be evil" spirit. Now they have become greedy, abusing of its dominant position. They'll be payed back.
Considering the app is so badly rated, removing it could be a good thing..
Ok... I'm done... moving to onedrive once and for all
Guessing this was their way sidestepping an antitrust hearing
Well, that escalated quickly..
Don't be evil Google
"Do no evil" my ass.
Not sure why MS didn't buy softcard first......................
Im tired of Google.
So glad that I can use chip and pin or contactless card systems here in the UK. Who needs all this crap with fighting between phone networks, OS makers, app writers and banks?
It also made me laugh when people were up in arms when BoA and Chase shut down their apps and people could no longer deposit cheques. Who uses cheques in the 21st century?
Who cares, I really don't think this sort of thing matters, banks can do NFC directly through your phone without a 3rd taking their share of the fees.
Well, it was OK while it lasted. I didn't enjoy having to maintain a Serve account though.
You know what
let Google do whatever it takes
the more it does, the more I hate it lol
Google is s*** :D
What a surprise.... Keep supporting all platforms MS! Seriously! It's much better than sinking to this level! Just come up with a better solution!... or buy a bigger payment company ;) lol
At what point are the actions of Google anti-competitive?
I just use Google as my email bitch. When I go to a site and have to use an email as a username and it is not a site I would fully trust, I use my Gmail. They get my spam and that's all they are good for. Even Autodesk dropped Google and now uses Nokia for mapping.
Of course google won't support WP with its tiny marketshare this cant only be justified with hate ... Microsoft need to wake the fukk up and and something crazy and provide some fierce competition... Like removing their apps from Android and keeping them only on IOS
I just uninstalled the app from my phone. Won't miss it.....
Does +630 have nfc, nada. Dropping a bank card or a phone, I prefer the bank card.
One reason more to hate Google, even though I don't care about this app....
Well is google, what do you expect ?
And surprise comes to no one. Now, Microsoft, mind creating your own in-house option for us? :)
I knew it! I just found out about this app last week. Too bad. Microsoft need to improve it's Wallet app because mobile payments are a huge deal for ME and I was planning on getting a 1520 or hopefully one of their new devices (if any).
This sucks. I don't know what else to say.
Even though it's due to the Google acquisition, this move leaves Microsoft's (mobile) operating system without a mobile payments solution. Given the move towards that method of payment on smartphones, that position is untenable in the long term for Microsoft.
I'm curious what Redmond's counter move will be. I don't see any other major player on the horizon that has another alternative point-of-sale register payment system, unless Microsoft decides to develop their own, in house. That's a HUGE undertaking.
I like how they said "terminated," not something subtle like "We apologize but support for Windows Phone will be ending." They were just like, "terminated."
It might be the end of Windows Phone for me, sick of this shit.... Every time I get something good, it goes away.
So, what is Microsoft going to do now as there is no Tap To pay options for WIndows Phone ? Just let the tech in the phone die or build some standard that wont be accepted anywhere, just like addons for Windows Phone ?
Stuck between a rock and a hardplace here, Love Windows Phone but, after BOA and this, its time to move on, Hate Apple and Hate Android/Google.
Anyway I look at it I am screwed...
Puck Google then
Meh, tried it and did not find it very useful in my area. Not sure that at this point in time I care since this will all change in the future anyways. I more of a long term fan boy. I like the phones and the direction of the company as a whole but stuff like this is going to come and go so what is done is done. Google will do what it wants to do and so will Apple. Either way its not a huge loss to me right now and I don't know about the future. It's kind of a non event, its not like someone is taking away the touch screen technology from the windows phone. Now that would suck.
Account Deleted.
Apple is a little bit over the neutral side to Microsoft and is being nice to us a lot more than Google is. Google is a spoilt child and doesn't want to play along
Somebody needs to file an anti-competition law suit against Google! This is too much, seriously!
Google straight up haters Microsoft publishes apps for em why can't they do the same Microsoft still ain't getting more share than em yet they still hold Microsoft back
The truth is that Google is getting desperate. Without more user data to harvest, they have NOTHING. And they know it. Everything they do except the core of the Android OS, Gmail and search is a flop. And the only thing they make money on is advertising, so if people start using something else, like WP, they are dead.
Microsoft can hang in there. And I think they will prevail, one way or another.
Sure google is afraid of windows phone
Google Moogle. You just wait for Windows 10 to bury Moogle's "productivity" offerings.
Google just don't know when to leave us alone! They are selfish pricks! I would happily shove my foot up the CEO (boss) of Google up their arse because they have just shoved their foot up ours! I now say this, screw Google! They are selfish bastards who don't care for Apple and Microsoft! Screw Google! We will fight to keep Windows Phone alive! We will not back down and we will NOT stop until we get the respect and the apps we deserve!
These are mobile phones we're talking about, calm down.
Microsoft's best bet is to join forces with Samsung and develop a payment system. Google is NOTHING without Samsung.
Looks like google is afraid Windows Phone might one day catch on!!
That's why I hate Google
When will the DOJ step in?
the Scoogle company manner! nothing special Google go to Hell!
Microsoft bring technology and peace from 1982 to IT world and scroogle just bring advertising fishing , and childish game in IT World!
Stupid google ...afraidy cat ..
Google sucks :)
So they discontinue softcard. Samsung will be putting MS services on their devices when the SG6 comes out. Who really wins?
Well, I'm now setting up an Outlook alias and getting rid of my Gmail account entirely.
Because they don't deserve my service.
Bastards.
So Google just bought ISIS...just saying
Will need to either go it alone or team up with PayPal, Samsung and/or Apple. But it sucks that underlying Softcard tech is now artificially platform locked. Hoping this wasn't totally unexpected and Microsoft had at least done preliminary work on a solution.
I can't say that this isn't upsetting news, but I am incredibly displeased that you would reinforce the hostile, closed environment found on Windows Central towards anyone who chooses to use Google's service, Daniel. I haven't even bothered to read all 420 comment as of writing as the comments section on Windows Central has been a toxic place for years now. The absolute hatred aimed at Google service users is troubling, but I would hope Windows Central staff wouldn't acctually encourage such practices. I have thought Windows Central's community has long been an unwelcoming place, but this is really cementing that this isn't a site I should go on. Mobile Nations as a whole should really look into dealing with this because as it stands I would not recommend Windows Central to anyone with a vested interest in Microsoft's platforms.
To address comments about my "fanboyism" based solely on my avatar alone: I am very cross-platform. I use an Android phone and Chromebook for mobile. At home I have a Windows tablet (currently trying the Technical Preview) and run Windows 8.1 on my PC. I maintain an older iMac for some software and had used an iPhone up until December of last year. I miss poor dead WebOS. The only mobile platform I haven't had the pleasure of using is Blackberry 10. I find it very distressing that I cannot find a place here on Windows Central despite the breadth of my platform usage.
This place originated as a Windows Phone site. If you know how Google has treated WP users, you'd understand the despise people here feel for Google.
I'm GLAD the site doesn't mince words about how Google operates with regards to the Windows mobile offerings.
I also don't really understand why you seem to take it personal that manyhere, including the staff, criticize Google for their attitude towards Windows Phone. Why does that matter to you?
It matters because it's gone beyond mere criticism of Google. I've been here since the baby days of Windows Phone 7, lurking before I ever got an account. I do understand how Google treats Windows Phone users seeing as I've seen all the headlines since the time I came around here. But I have literally seen people telling others to die or making what service ecosystem a person uses a very personal, offensive thing. Windows Central has never, ever been a place welcoming to others unless they are all in on Microsoft's services. It's an exclusive, toxic community and I've been saying that for years.
I've got no problem with being mad at Google, but don't aim the sights of your anger on me or other users who want to use the services we have chosen as best for us. I don't want to part of any group that is so hostile.
Your words are falling on deaf ears friend. Sorry to say.
Fair enough, you have proven that you are part of a cooler tribe. Now run along.
This happens to be exactly the mentality I am describing.
How hard is it for someone to have an idea to make an NFC payment application for only Windows Phone, in which works at the credit-card level; works with ANY bank card that can do credit? It was an idea of mine while being infuriated with this news.
And then I clearly followed with:
GOOGLE SUPPORTS ISIS!
*continues wondering with disinterest what Softcard is*
Fuck u google _|_
Pff. Fuck Google. They're nothing but the biggest dicks on the planet.
I haven't liked them at all since they stopped being innovative and focused on keylogging you everywhere to bring you more relevant ads. That actually aren't much more relevant at all, ironically.
They're good at making money, but that's because millions of people are gullible. That's the only reason I still have stocks with them.
Ms makes its money and windows phone will be king.
It must be so frustrating for the folks in Redmond to not be able to do anything about this. As a consumer this kind of stuff really makes me dislike Google. I wish Microsoft could just block chrome on Windows.
Ms is about to blow up and google is scared
Personally I couldn't care:
If my current phone had NFC, which it doesn't, I could only use it at a couple of % of places I shop.
My CC works at 100% of places I shop, and I don't have any 'does my phone work here' thoughts, I just use it. Simple.
And what if my phone battery dies. I'd need a backup CC for then.
A phone is a more complex way to pay.
Yup, I agree. At least at this point, I would never want to trust that my phone doesn't screw up and that I wouldn't be able to pay, so I still have to take my CC with me.
Calling AT&T to demand that they allow me to use the built in Microsoft Wallet app as I see fit. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
Google has gone too far. Killing Windows Phone apps is wrong, and bad. There should be a new, stronger word for killing Windows Phone apps like badwrong or badong. YES, killing WP apps is badong. From this moment, I will stand for the opposite of killing WP apps, gnodab.
Google didn't kill the app, SoftBank did. Read the article.
We knew it was coming; this should come as no surprise. Google hates Microsoft period.
I agree that it a lame move on Googles part. They have done a lot to blatantly denies WIndows users services. I don't sweat it though because it just made leaving Google services that much easier. My whole family has also transistioned away from it (granted that less than a drop in the bucket as far as Google is concerned, but that kind of behavior is exactly how Microsoft got behind on the mobile front) conversly we are seeing new life from older Apple products that we own because of how universal Microosft is becoming. I hope Windows 10 will be the tipping point. I also agree with the other comments about Microsoft launching a universal pay system (OnePay or OneCard). The could then make it so all Windows 10 users don't have to pay handling fees or royalties etc (or at least get a really good discount). This would give businesses incentive to upgrade to the new OS, including bank because of the money they would save. And if universal iOS and Android users could have their infor linked across devices so regardless of what item you have on hand you can pay. No idea if it'll ever happen but a user can dream...
That should be Microsoft's wake up call. Why is Microsoft breaking their necks making better apps and services for other platforms. All of their services are better on other platforms.
Because they are making more money from their apps and services in other platforms than apps+services+wp all together
This isn't a surprise by any stretch of the imagination. Die, Google, die!
Google mafia sued by Microsoft immediately!
Usa is the land of freedom google are nazi!!
Some of these comments are just unbelievably immature. This is all just a play for cash; Google would make Windows Phone apps if it was profitable for them. Same for Microsoft ditching its Android apps.
Google has EXPLICITLY STATED that they are not developing for Windows Phone because of its low market share.
And what's your thoughts about Google making MS to remove the Youtube app made by MS for WP? They have nothing to lose there.. Still they terminated that Awsome App from the store.. Now Explain that, Over-matured guy
Ms block google Chrome on Windows!!! Do it now!
The problem is that the app already exists, so your argument is flawed...
"Google has EXPLICITLY STATED that they are not developing for Windows Phone because of its low market share."
Yeah, right. You do realize that one reason for that low market share is BECAUSE Google refuses to do anything? If they really cared, they'd at least allow Microsoft to publish their OWN YouTube app, which wouldn't cost Google anything. They refuse. It has NOTHING to do with marketshare being too low, it has to do with them not wanting it to get any higher.
The whole story...?
"Google has acquired some technology and intelllectual property from Softcard and we encourage our Android users to download Google Wallet. In the near future, the Softcard app will shut down and all wallets will be terminated."
So the Android app will be terminated too. Not just the Windows Phone one. Of course, the difference is Android users have an alternative in Google Wallet...
That hurts more than killing google chat
Google chat?.. That thing still exists? :D .. Oh yeah , i remember
This is what MS should have purchased instead of a calendar app
Waiting for a youtube competitor from MS and i'm done with google forever..
Bad gogol= Bad Google
And that's why i STOPPED using Google crap completely. that's bunch of selfish BS. CrApple and Google crap SUCK ASS.
Somehow, it seems as though Microsoft would be in the crosshairs of governmental regulatory agencies if they were behaving the way Google has been lately. Is the "pay to play" tenet of political donations at play here?
just build a magentic strip popout on our lumias we can slide out and swipe for paying. the stripe would be the copy of magentic data in your real credit/bank/whatever cards.
Microsoft should end support for chrome browser and google engine for pc. Than who wins?
MS is not as brainless as Google
Because we all know the recipe for tech success, as with apple's IPay or whatever it is, is to limit your service to a single platform. Just like Facebook, Twitter, Zynga, Rovio, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, etc.
Maybe I'm in the minority but how many people, WP or otherwise, actually used Softcard? I don't think it or Google Wallet has taken off as much their respective owners had hoped. I tried it, but found that the little piece of plastic in my wallet works infinitely faster.
SN: Waze got a (minor) uppdate today, so there's still hope...
Not that I'm bothered about this payment system... But what does concern me is the amount of devs/companies dropping windows phone. I've stuck with Ms since PPC days then to wp7 now 8.1 but I'm sad to say I'm gonna have to jump ship, even the MS apps I use are better on android. So I'm hanging up my many Lumias and heading over to the droid but using MS apps.
Goodluck with that.. No one cares though... Have fun :p ..
the solution is that apple should discontinue all google apps. this will shock google and tear their asses.
Anyone else feel like class action....
I can see the trillions moving from MS to Cyanogen....what if the universal apps store will be available for Android? Trolol
I just called American Express and closed my Serve card account which is what I used with softcard through my AT&T Windows phone. I made sure that the guy new why I was closing my account. I told him that I'd bet that others would be calling in soon to do the same because of Google shutting us off of a service. I hope AT&T gets wind of this and works with MS to come up with a solution.
Nice brain
Google can burn in Hell.
The initial blame for this mess goes to the carriers for blocking all other payment options in the first place. Next comes Google for this stunt.
Well, this just increased my dislike for Google more. I never again want to use their products.
So are the carriers actually going to allow Microsoft to use their own system or do we have a nice lawsuit coming
No, Softcard itself is going away, and its technology is being folded into Google Wallet. The carrier's mobile pay solution just turned into *Google's* mobile payments solution.
That has nothing to do with what I said and doesn't change the fact that the carriers sold out and willingly screwed over microsoft in the process
Wow... as if I needed one more excuse to cut ties with Google. I stopped using Chrome long ago. If using just 1 email provider were a good/safe idea I'd fully switch to Outlook.com. Google's kicking me and users like me to the curb... I guess I should reciprocate and use gmail only when absolutely necessary.
meanwhile outside US.
nah we don't use that technology. we prefer cash to pay.
the company who has direct x 12 will rule the next gen mobile gaming and that's Microsoft.
And they would make best games for iOS and Android ...
We should remove Skype
Not surprising at all... besides softcard will disappear for the other platforms however they do have alternatives. Microsoft really needs to up their game in regards to mobile payments, as mobility is the future and if they miss the boat once again well... who knows what the majority of the techworld will run with in-terms of headlines. Relying on carriers on supporting the wallet turned out to be a loser...
Carriers are diminishing in importance. Relying on them for anything in mobile is foolhardy. It's why Apple frequently does end runs around the carriers, because they're all ultimately just dumb pipes.
So what payment company will Microsoft buy?
I sure hope that MS will never go this route of closing their services from other OSs. Just because some drive to fast, doesn't mean that others should to...
That didn't take long. As usual, F Google.
"if you folks need fuel for your anti-Google fire"
Nope. Not required at all... Why bother about a company that has no care for you??
Not a big deal. I wouldn't use it anyway after Google purchased it.
Goog$e my spam email server.....
double post
And yet Microsoft is continuing to give them better apps then WP :/
Instead of pulling the apps, I'd suggest making the android platform the last to get updates on MS apps. Android users still use MS products, but get frustrated by the delayed updates.
Im ultimately sick of Google's mischief. They're doing this because they're afraid of Microsoft. Think about it, Google has only one real ally, Samsung. Recently Microsoft and Samsung came to a settlement, and that means Samsung could build products for Windows again. This worries google. More so, Microsoft purchased Nokia's hardware division, meaning that Microsoft now possesses the highest quality cell phone OEM. That's a major threat to google. I have a feeling Google will try to buy Samsung in the coming months, like Microsoft bought Nokia. On top of that,Google wants Microsoft to end support for Google on things like Office. It will lose Microsoft a large portion of customers, then google can finagle the Media to make Microsoft look like the bad guys. Google is just testing the waters at the moment. All is well, Microsoft is designing the a game changing high end phone that will shatter Google's world. Wait and see.
Goog$e will not buy Samsung. They have no interest in ship building or consumer appliances.
Samsung is lot bigger than Google. Samsung can just buy Google with just their off shore funds alone.
So how much of that can you back up with proof?
As we all figured they would do. What comes around goes around. Right now Google is flying and Microsoft WP is struggling. However, ugliness has a way of rearing it's head when you're not looking. So enjoy your moment of glory Google. Your day of reckoning will come and will mercy or pity be shown for you?? Probably not....
Google.. Evil.. Hmm..rhymes good!
MS wallet actually has Tap to Pay function. It didn't work in US because of Softcard.
Hahahaha, a service that I've only tested twice...
I don't know if it will do anything, but I just tweeted to AT&T about this and got a real human response pretty quickly. Since AT&T helped develop this app, they should at least hear about a percentage of their constituents losing access to it.
Hahaha. This is just becoming a joke, the war between Google and Microsoft that is. Microsoft needs to cut ALL support of Google products, all of it completely as well as cut support for Microsoft apps on Google products. Cut Office, OneDrive, everything. Suffocate them.
They have to wait until they win enough customers back before they can pull a stunt like that.
Just as I suspected. I know the is business, but this really seems to be an anti-competitive action and just like the DOJ locked MS Dow for 10 years, I personally think they need to step in soon. Google is doing this in hopes of making WP users get frustrated and move to their platform which is very undermining,, yet Microsoft continues to empower Android by giving them all of the apps we have. I truly understand the move by Microsoft of putting apps on platforms where the largest user base is from a business perspective, but if I were Microsoft I would remove all of my apps and only put them on my own and Apple, leaving android out in the cold. I'd rather see apple succeed over android. That was very hard for me to admit, but it's true
It was crap anyway. Didn't work on unbranded phones. Good riddance
...really.
My wife and I use SoftCard on our 1520s and 830 and my boss made a trip to AT&T just so he could get a secure SIM to use SoftCard on his 1520.
Google are a bunch of jerks! If I wasn't teaching an Android class, I wouldn't have anything to do with them! This solidifies my plan to stop teaching the Android class and teach Windows Phone 101 next year.
Thank you sir!!!
I did get the new SIM for that, but only used twice... Regretted that I gave out my information to such company anyway...
I did the same, used itquite a few times before I deployed. Still deployed, but Just used Skype !!! and called Amex Serve to cancel my account and I let them know why.
Microsoft needs a mole to erode Android from the inside out.
and i know what will google next plan. to make a messenger app to compete watsapp and all users there asap. just to get monopoly and get rid off wp. they just want t spy and earn. and then send info to nsa for spying and make US powerful. world politics
To be fair, Softcard is ending ALL their apps, not just for Windows Phone, but also for Android. They will transition to Google Wallet for Android, which of course there isn't a version for Windows, but that doesn't mean that Softcard or Google won't develop something for Windows. Let's face it though, they won't. XD
Keep in mind all of softcard is being cancelled. that means the softcard apps for android and apple also. IT is not just the windows phone app.
Being late in the mobile race is really hurting them right now. Sad but true.
Google are gonna decline in popularity even more so the more and more they make moves like this. Microsoft are going up in popularity because of all the great things they're doing lately with their services.
Just give it time and we can all watch as the wheels fall off and they lose the dominance they think they'll always have.
https://twitter.com/BlochSphere/status/570656097557737473
lol
MS should just PayPal and end android support for it.
Google is Satan
This just makes my resolve to Never again use Google even Stronger!
Pull Sunrise Calendar , Minecraft , and everything Microsoft own from Google Playstore. -_-"
Agree!!
Screw Google can't believe I was about to switch entirely today to Android.
MS Forever!
First bank of America, now soft card. WTH? Mobile wars and money is all that matters. It's like Xbox one not getting street fighter 5, but only a ps4. This world isn't universal anymore, but exclusive to the rich mofos...
Yeah that's how it is nowadays.
Hahaha, SOOOO surprised!
Funking Ahole Google, please die.
Yes, that 'fate unknown' headline from the other day was worth a giggle. Think we all knew this would happen.
Google: Tech Asshats. Gigantic ones.
A gif is Worth a thousand words: http://collegetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Carry-On-Being-a-Dick...
There goes any chance of ubiquitous payment. Google will probably F this up like they have been with there other recent products.
Oh darn. Office for Android just got cancelled over "technical indifferences".
I don't want google to have my credit card numbers anyway.
Well, I went to go close my Softcard account... and Guess what? you CANT! the site states to contact your wireless provider for support, well they dont own the damn company anymore and are unable to help. I cannot even take the card I had authorized with it out of the account.
Man that sucks.
Argh. Yeah I don't see a way of removing the card either but I cancelled the card. I had only kept it for SoftCard. What I did also is logged in via the gosoftcard.com website and put a suspension on the account. At least it can no longer be used.
If you authorized your Amex, call Amex and they will cancel the virtual card. You wont have to change physical card because Amex creates a virtual card for softcard.
So, I was talking to my girlfriend about this the other day (and forgive the rant) but: What the eff is wrong with Google?
Remember when their slogan was "Don't be evil"? Remember when they used to make apps for all platforms and allowed everyone access to their services? I remember the Gmail app on old Blackberry OS and Windows Mobile. Let's look at some of the changes they have been making:
Have I missed anything? Meanwhile, Microsoft opens up the OneDrive API, makes universal apps for Android and iOS and even used to allow us to connect to Facebook/Gmail chat right in our email.
Don't be evil, indeed. When did Google become Apple? They are making everything proprietary. They probably wouldn't even bother making services for iOS if they could afford to ignore them. I have been making a bigger effort to move away from their services (Outlook.com is my main email provider now), but man is it hard. Google does make some superior services (Maps, etc) and it's frustrating beyond belief that they make an effort to keep those services off of certain platforms, when that's exactly the oppisite of who they used to be.
Here maps has outdone gmaps on my mobile for some time. I have never gotten lost or given wrong directions there is not a single thing gmaps offers that I would need.
Have to remember that HERE services are available elsewhere now too not just wp.
HERE is great. I just prefer Google Maps. And really, the point is having a choice. You don't have to use Apple Maps on iPhone because there is a Google Maps app (and HERE).
They see Microsoft and the Windows platform as their direct competitors in the marketplace, especially for the low end and mid range mobile market so are doing everything they can to stem that.
Plus they're trying to force their services into everything going like Google Docs etc but the fact is people just prefer Office and other services from Microsoft and they know that.
With MS putting all their services on absolutely everything around they're bringing in more custom and the more people using them the better.
A storm is coming, and Google will be the ones to lose out.
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