Google Wallet is finally getting a companion physical pre-paid debit card as it shifts ever further away from its NFC roots.
The long-rumoured card links to users' Google Wallet accounts and can be used to make purchases wherever MasterCard is accepted and to withdraw cash from ATMs.
In a blog post, Wallet product manager Sandra Mariano stresses that the card lets users access and spend money that is deposited into their account instantly, providing immediate notifications to their phones.
Google Wallet initially only let users make in-store purchases via mobile NFC but, thanks to a limited number of compatible handsets and the refusal of telcos AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to back it, the service failed to take off.
A physical card was strongly rumoured as far back as last October but the idea seemed to die off with the departure of Wallet chief Osama Bedier earlier this year.
Since then an overhaul has seen the introduction of person-to-person payments and a greater focus on loyalty and coupons in a bid to open up the Wallet to all handsets.
The free card, which only works in the US, can be ordered now from the Wallet Android app or online.