Google Wallet's Instant Buy 2-Click Checkout API Brought to iOS

Google, after introducing its Instant Buy API on Google Wallet a year back for Android users, has now made the same available for Apple iOS apps.

The developers can now include the option of Google Wallet's checkout in their apps, enabling users to make a purchase in just two clicks. The Instant Buy API lets users access and store their payment information on Google's private servers, which eliminates the need of them inserting the crediting card numbers and other data every time to make a purchase online.

Google passes the user's payment information to the merchant site only after the user decides to complete the order. The firm does not charge anything for this service from the Apple iOS users, reports Techcrunch.

The Google Wallet's Instant Buy API can be downloaded and installed from the Google's Developer page.

Google introduced its Wallet app for iOS back in September. It represents a challenge to the Passbook program that Apple has built into the iPhone's operating system. Both Google Wallet and Passbook allow iPhone users to store loyalty cards from some merchants and scan coupons offering discounts. Google Wallet also allows its users to send money and make purchases on some mobile websites by storing a debit or credit card account on the app. Payment information can also be stored in Passbook.

Last month, it was reported that users could soon send money using Google Glass eyewear, a Google Wallet account, a few gestures and a voice command. Sources close to the company revealed that Google is currently testing the service internally, and will be launching the service for the general public soon. Reportedly, to enable the service, Google employees need to be signed into a company network, and can then proceed to install Google Wallet glassware.

It was also noted that mobile money transfer through the Google Wallet to Google Contacts can be initiated by simply saying "send money". Like the regular Google Wallet service, the company is expected to charge a minimum 2.9 percent fee on the transactions, or 30 cents, whichever is higher. Google has not made any comments on this as of yet.