Google to Eliminate Paper Bills using Gmail

Google is said to be planning a tool to let users receive bills via and email, then pay with a single click of a button - all without leaving their inbox. While it will be promoted as a service to benefit users, it could be part of a wider business move for Google.

Leaked screenshots reveal the service is codenamed Pony Express, though it's unknown if that will be the real name if and when it launches. The current plan is to start the service in the final quarter of 2015.

The plan isn't so much to replace existing electronic billing. Instead, Google is targeting companies which print and mail bills on behalf of other companies. Google would take the content of the bills and send it to customers by email, thereby reducing paper and postage costs. (Source: recode.net)

Gmail users wanting to use the service would have to sign up by giving their name and home address, plus some form of identification number, such as a bank card or driver license. They would also add details of either a debit card or bank account.

One Button Pays The Bill

Under the system, users are able to check the details of the bill and amount, then click a button to pay instantly - rather than have to follow a link to the website of the company concerned. It doesn't appear Google will handle the money itself. Instead, it will pass on the details to a third party processor.

Google will also push a couple of other benefits with the service. It will automatically gather together all the bills in one Gmail folder, arranged to make it easy to see which bills are new, which have been paid, and which remain unpaid.

There will also be an option to ask another Gmail user to pay part of the bill. The idea here is to make it easier for roommates to split bills rather than one person pay, and then have to keep track of the amount and chase up the others for their share.

Google Gobbles Up More Data

While Google may charge a handling fee, making money directly from the 'Pony Express' may not be the main aim. Instead the target could be twofold. Firstly, by having users link their cards or bank accounts to their Google accounts, Google will be well placed to expand the range of payment types from bills to general purchases.

Secondly, Google will gain even more personal information about customer behavior beyond simply what they look at online. While it's unlikely it would be able to share this information with retailers, it might change advertisements users see while visiting websites that run the Google Adsense program. For example, if Google knows somebody is paying a high monthly fee for cable television, it might start showing them more ads for online TV services that can make it easier to 'cut the cord' and drop premium channel tiers. (Source: engadget.com)

What's Your Opinion?

Does Google's proposed service sound like it would make your life simpler? Are you concerned about providing your financial details to Google? Would such a feature persuade you to use Gmail if you don't do so already?