Google Assistant now lets users send and receive money in US

Google has announced that users in the US would be able to send and receive money from their friends by just giving a voice command that starts with "Hey Google".

To send money, say "Hey Google, send Jane $15 for lunch today." And to request money, say "Hey Google, request $20 from Sam for the show tonight." Google Assistant will analyze what you said and show you the transaction. If it’s right, you say “send” and confirm with your password or fingerprint.

Users who do not have a Google Pay account would be prompted to set one up the first time they want to send money. At the moment it only works with the Assistant on Android and the iOS app, but support for "voice-activated speakers like Google Home" will arrive in the coming months. Sending and receiving money from Google Pay is free.

Meanwhile, Facebook-owned WhatsApp is also testing a new payments feature in India that aims to allow people to send money to their friends from the app. The feature is currently in beta phase.