Google Wallet

iOS and Android users can now manage their gift cards and request / send money using the Google Wallet app. Like loyalty cards, Google Wallet users can now digitally store their gift cards by scanning the card or manually typing its info into the app. Users can also check gift card balances from participating partners such as Toys R Us, and receive a reminder that they have a gift card for a certain retailer when they are near a brick and mortar location.

Google has also added the ability to request money from your contacts, and send them a "friendly" reminder in the form of a notification in case they forget to pay you the first time around. Users can send money through Google Wallet by using an attached debit card.

Google Wallet landed in the App Store this morning sans NFC, since iOS devices do not support it. Besides the missing "tap-to-pay" option, the iOS version does include all the features found on the Android version.

Google Wallet users can send money to any friend in the US via email, and store credit / debit cards and loyalty programs on the app. Users can also keep their app locked with a PIN and disable the app through Google's site if their device becomes lost or stolen.