Google may launch Android controlled home entertainment system

This one actually could be far bigger news than it first would seem. The news has come out that Google may be looking to launch an Android controlled home entertainment system later this year. The interesting part of it is that the hardware is said to be Google branded. As yet, Google has never released branded hardware without a partner, like the HTC Nexus One, Samsung Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus, and Motorola XOOM.

The report by the Wall Street Journal says that Google is planning to design and market the home entertainment system, and there is no mention of any hardware partners. The idea behind the entertainment system is similar to the Android@Home project that Google showed off at last year's Google I/O. The home entertainment system has been developed by the Android team, and will run a variant of the mobile OS software. It will allow users to stream music from any device over a wireless network.

It is highly likely that such a system would see pretty tight integration with Google Music, Android and Google TV (which is itself a variant of Android). The real question is whether or not Google is really planning to build the hardware itself. Even the acquisition of Motorola Mobility wouldn't really help with this as the company has no history of building audio equipment bigger than headphones.

Google To Roll Out Home Entertainment System:

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Won’t Feature Google Wallet?

You would expect Google’s flagship Android smartphone to come with their new Google Wallet payment system, but now it would appear that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus won’t feature Google Wallet. According to a recent report by Computer World, Verizon has decided not to have Google Wallet installed on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on their network, and the device will also come with some pre-loaded Verizon applications which we have seen before.

Luckily the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Verizon will be a pure Google phone, and it will receive updates direct from Google rather than Verizon, so it looks like you won’t have to wait around for ages to get the Android updates.

More information's:
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/6/2614604/verizon-galaxy-nexus-wont-have-google-wallet-will-have-verizon-apps

Google Checkout merges into Google Wallet

What’s the difference between Google Checkout and Google Wallet? Nothing, anymore. Google announced, in a blog post yesterday, that it will be merging Google Checkout into Google Wallet to create one, unified digital payment platform under the Google Wallet name. Now Google Wallet will handle purchases online and in-store. Google is also beginning to introduce Google Wallet as the payment method on Android Market, YouTube, and Google+ Games.

On the consumer side of things, Google is pushing the convenience aspect of simply using a username and password to make purchases online rather than having to enter in the same information repeatedly, such as shipping addresses and credit card information. Citi MasterCard cardholders will also be able to add those cards into the Google Wallet mobile app and have access to their Citi MasterCards as payment options when using Google Wallet online. Current users of Google Checkout will have their accounts transitioned to Google Wallet the next time they sign-in or make an online purchase.

Merchants, on the other hand, do not have to transition anything. Google promises that the transition will be seamless in order to prevent any payment processing interruptions during the holiday shopping season. Google will be working with merchants next year to swap out branding logos and introduce them to new features that may benefit their business.

More information's:
http://googlecommerce.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-one-wallet-google-checkout-is.html