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Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus is expected to launch in the coming weeks without Google Wallet, at the carrier’s request.
The phone, which was developed by Samsung in partnership with Google, will debut with the Web giant’s mobile payments system disabled by Verizon’s choice, a Google spokesman told CNET, confirming a story first reported by Computerworld.
“Verizon asked us not to include this functionality in the product,” a Google representative told CNET.
It’s unknown whether that omission is related to Isis, a partnership Verizon Wireless formed with AT&T and T-Mobile USA in an attempt to enter the mobile payments business.
Verizon Wireless representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While several other companies have announced plans to launch their own digital wallets, Google was the first to market. Google’s service, which launched in September, allows owners of Android smartphones equipped with NFC (near-field communications) technology to tap or swipe their phones to make purchases.
Sprint is the only carrier partner currently offering the service (mainly because it’s the only carrier offering the Nexus S 4G), but more carriers are expected to offer the service as more NFC-equipped smartphones come on the market.
Meanwhile, Isis is working on a different approach, offering a neutral platform that serves as a foundation for other parties such as retailers, credit card issuers, and payment networks that can plug in and offer their own services to their customers. Isis, which doesn’t access any of the customer data, is expected to launch next year.
This development is likely to disappoint many Android fans who had been looking forward to the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus, which will be the first handset on the market to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
