Google 'working' on Apple Card-style smart debit card design

Google is reportedly testing its own Google-branded smart debit card that will help customers make and track purchases made online and in stores, The Verge reports, citing TechCrunch.

The project is meant to be a new centerpiece for Google’s existing Google Pay system, which currently only does online and peer-to-peer payments by adding a physical debit card that could be used for a wider variety of purchases. An expanded debit card presence would allow Google to be more useful in keeping track of payments and purchases, as well as provide the company with valuable insight on consumer spending.

Unlike Apple’s own Apple Card — which is a full-blown credit card — the Google project is said to be a debit card, with partners like Citi and Stanford Federal Credit Union (the card itself is a Visa card, although Google may expand that to other payment processors like Mastercard, too.) But much like the Apple Card, the Google debit card is designed to work as a physical card and a tap-to-pay digital card on a phone, and it will offer a separate virtual card number for use with online retailers.

Google’s app reportedly will allow customers to easily track purchases (including leveraging tools like Google Maps and its vast database of retailers to contact or navigate a previously visited store.) Customers will also be able to use the Google Pay app to lock their card in the event of theft or loss, or lock the account entirely.