Tech Tip: Google Wallet Now Creates Digital IDs from Photos
2024-08-15
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1Google has added a new tool that permits Android users to create digital versions of many kinds of identification (ID) cards and event passes for device wallets.
2The tool is part of the Google Wallet app.
3It was first announced in May along with other changes to the latest operating system, Android 15.
4The change is explained on a Google Wallet help website.
5The tool is now available for Android users in the United States who have the latest update of Google Wallet.
6Digital wallets are designed to permit users to save non-physical versions of credit cards, personal IDs, membership passes and event tickets to their smartphones or other devices.
7Credit cards in wallets are linked directly to the banks that offer them and can be used to pay for things just like with a physical credit card.
8The use of digital wallets has expanded over the years as people depend more on digital IDs and other documents.
9Supporters say this reduces the need to carry a lot of cards in a physical wallet.
10Until now, Google Wallet divided its digital document offerings into categories.
11Examples of these categories would be payment or gift cards, transportation passes for bus, train or air travel as well as official IDs.
12Google's new tool is designed to permit device users to easily add many more kinds of documents to its Wallet service.
13These could include the kinds of passes many people carry in their physical wallets, such as gym memberships and medical or insurance cards.
14These digital versions can be created by the user taking a picture of the physical document or by doing a screen capture of a digital version from a device.
15Some documents have an electronic barcode or QR code that can be entered into the Wallet app.
16Google Wallet then uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to use information from the photo to create a new digital pass.
17The process of creating these digital documents is similar to adding new documents to Google Wallet.
18Users open the app and then click on "Add to Google Wallet (+)."
19The app then gives users a choice of what kind of card or pass to create.
20These include groups like "Payment Card," "Transit Pass" or "ID Card."
21The new Google Wallet has a new category, called "Everything Else."
22This offering was created to permit users to make digital copies of just about any card, pass or document they want to keep in their devices.
23Google offers additional security steps to users storing official documents on Android devices.
24These "private passes" can also be added to Google Wallet.
25Google says data contained in official digital documents is only saved on the device as an extra security measure.
26People in some American states can create a digital ID to be used to officially prove their identity.
27Google explains that this service is currently only available in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Maryland
28There is a process users must follow to have their digital IDs verified by each state.
29The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) even accepts this form of state ID at many major U.S. airports.
30Online technology website Android Authority recently reported Google Wallet will soon be equipped to also create digital versions of American passports.
31To create this official digital document, users would need to be holders of a U.S. government issued e-Passport.
32The online publication said one of its writers discovered the Google Wallet passport is still in development at Google.
33Android Authority noted that having a passport saved in Google Wallet might remove the need to present an actual passport in some cases.
34However, the digital version is not designed to replace the physical passport, which the user should continue to carry.
35I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Google has added a new tool that permits Android users to create digital versions of many kinds of identification (ID) cards and event passes for device wallets. 2The tool is part of the Google Wallet app. It was first announced in May along with other changes to the latest operating system, Android 15. The change is explained on a Google Wallet help website. The tool is now available for Android users in the United States who have the latest update of Google Wallet. 3Digital wallets are designed to permit users to save non-physical versions of credit cards, personal IDs, membership passes and event tickets to their smartphones or other devices. Credit cards in wallets are linked directly to the banks that offer them and can be used to pay for things just like with a physical credit card. 4The use of digital wallets has expanded over the years as people depend more on digital IDs and other documents. Supporters say this reduces the need to carry a lot of cards in a physical wallet. 5Until now, Google Wallet divided its digital document offerings into categories. Examples of these categories would be payment or gift cards, transportation passes for bus, train or air travel as well as official IDs. 6Google's new tool is designed to permit device users to easily add many more kinds of documents to its Wallet service. These could include the kinds of passes many people carry in their physical wallets, such as gym memberships and medical or insurance cards. 7These digital versions can be created by the user taking a picture of the physical document or by doing a screen capture of a digital version from a device. Some documents have an electronic barcode or QR code that can be entered into the Wallet app. 8Google Wallet then uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to use information from the photo to create a new digital pass. 9The process of creating these digital documents is similar to adding new documents to Google Wallet. Users open the app and then click on "Add to Google Wallet (+)." The app then gives users a choice of what kind of card or pass to create. These include groups like "Payment Card," "Transit Pass" or "ID Card." 10The new Google Wallet has a new category, called "Everything Else." This offering was created to permit users to make digital copies of just about any card, pass or document they want to keep in their devices. 11Google offers additional security steps to users storing official documents on Android devices. These "private passes" can also be added to Google Wallet. Google says data contained in official digital documents is only saved on the device as an extra security measure. 12People in some American states can create a digital ID to be used to officially prove their identity. Google explains that this service is currently only available in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Maryland 13There is a process users must follow to have their digital IDs verified by each state. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) even accepts this form of state ID at many major U.S. airports. 14Online technology website Android Authority recently reported Google Wallet will soon be equipped to also create digital versions of American passports. To create this official digital document, users would need to be holders of a U.S. government issued e-Passport. 15The online publication said one of its writers discovered the Google Wallet passport is still in development at Google. Android Authority noted that having a passport saved in Google Wallet might remove the need to present an actual passport in some cases. However, the digital version is not designed to replace the physical passport, which the user should continue to carry. 16I'm Bryan Lynn. 17Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Google and Android Authority. 18____________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20wallet - n. a small container used to carry money and credit cards, or a digital version used for the same purpose 21app - n. a computer program that is designed to do one task or set of tasks and is usually aimed at use on mobile devices 22category - n. a group of people or things that are similar in some way 23gym (gymnasium) -n. a business where people go to exercise or play sports 24insurance - n. an agreement in which you pay a company to cover necessary costs in case there is an accident that causes damage or injuries 25barcode - n. a small, printed pattern of thick and think black lines that is printed on products and documents 26verify - v. to prove that something exists or is true