By 
Good news tonight from the Google Wallet camp who have successfully managed to patch up at least one security hole in their much desired (but rarely used?) Android app. Apparently, that tricky little hack that allowed some to delete the app’s user data, and set an all new PIN has been fixed, giving users access, and the ability to add funds, to their virtual Google prepaid cards.
Google Wallet’s Vice President Osama Bedier had this to say on the Google Commerce blog,
Yesterday afternoon, we restored the ability to issue new prepaid cards to the Wallet. In addition, we issued a fix that prevents an existing prepaid card from being re-provisioned to another user. While we’re not aware of any abuse of prepaid cards or the Wallet PIN resulting from these recent reports, we took this step as a precaution to ensure the security of our Wallet customers. If you are unable to access your previous prepaid card balance for any reason, please contact our toll-free support for assistance.
There you have it folks. Your prepaid dollars are once again safe in the arms of Google. Now, the only thing you have to worry about now is keeping your unlocked and rooted phone out of the physical hands of hackers. Shouldn’t be too hard, now should it?
[Google Commerce | Via Gizmodo]
Good! I use it quite a bit. Mostly at 7-11…dont judge me! lol
Seriously… you use it just to use it, right? Because you can? =p
Busted! You caught me. I do it for the reaction. So I have to keep going to different 7-11s HAHAHA
It is also only available on certain carriers. T-Mobile apparently doesn’t support it. So even though I have a Nexus S, I can’t get it. :(
You can with some tinkering. The Verizon Galaxy nexus does not support it but I use it.
I have TMO and a nexus x un rooted and I just installed google wallet using these instructions. It’s a pain the ass but I got it to work… Hint: use the browser to log into android market.
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/02/02/video-installing-google-wallet-from-the-market-on-the-verizon-lte-galaxy-nexus/
I will give it a shot. Thanks all!
The guy working at the 7-11 near me was amazed. The best part was when he asked if he could use it on an iPhone and I told him only the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus supported it. He really wants a Nexus now. I may have converted him from Apple to Android.
Ha, I totally did that to someone at Best Buy. She was planning on getting an iPhone, but saw me pay for my stuff with the phone and was amazed. She was totally ready to switch, but she was on Sprint, which didn’t have the GN announced at the time. Oh well.
I love this damn phone.
should have told her to get the nexus s on sprint
i use it just to use it at work. everyone i work with has a iphone so you get the picture.
So far I’ve used mine at a McDonald’s using up the free $10, then at a 7-11 to test out the added cash to the prepaid card, so no judgement here. Their sandwiches are actually pretty good, and they have Orange Bang.
Got a nice surprised reaction from the 7-11 guy, but at McD’s, the sensor isn’t in view of the person at the register, so no reaction.
my 7-11 the nfc doesn’t work. ive used it at mcdonals and jack in the box and my work accepts it to. my problem is half the places i go the nfc terminals are not always on.
I had the same problem at a different McDonald’s from the first one I used it at. The stores definitely need to keep those terminals working properly if this whole NFC thing is really going to take off.
it does get annoying when i plan to pay with my google card then have to swipe my debit card.
This doesn’t really address the security concerns reported last weekend. You can still clear data and reset the PIN. I never considered the PIN issue to be a problem personally but I don’t see any changes other than the restriction on swapping accounts.
I am still getting “Prepaid is unavailable”. Hmmm
Yeah same here. WTF Google.
So what is the security purpose of using prepaid cards to load to google wallet? I dont understand why someone would be paranoid enough to take that extra step. Its not any different than giving your card number to the android market. I just make the transfer straight from my debit card.
Because not all credit cards work with NFC. So far I think it’s only mastercard, and may only be citi mastercards.
Maybe I could have been more specific. Why would someone purchase a visa re-loadable card only to transfer that balance to the prepaid google wallet card.
You’re misunderstanding, then.
People are using regular credit cards to load the google prepaid card that comes default when you open up google wallet (because they don’t have a compatible card they can use).
That default card could be compromised if someone stole your rooted, unlocked phone. They would get access to whatever money you loaded onto the prepaid card by choosing their own pin.
I like the ability to use my device as my wallet. It’s yet to be seen whether NFC acceptance will grow at retail, but I, for one, am on the bandwagon.
if this grows all i will need is google drivers licence. then i really wont need a wallet
i still got $5 from google prepaid card from opening google wallet haha
love you google :) hehe they care about meeeeeeee derp.
lol but seriously google, youre awesome
Ive taken advantage of the offers Google provides as well, along with the application. Such as discounted smoothies from Jamba Juice.