Google will soon launch Android Pay in the UK

Google has confirmed plans to launch Android Pay in the UK within the next few months. MasterCard and Visa debit and credit cards from major participating establishments will be supported, including HSBC, Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, MBNA and First Direct. Retailers with supporting contactless card readers will accept Android Pay too, not to mention Transport for London's network. It's good to finally see that Android Pay isn't far off from launching in the UK.

All you need is a handset with NFC and be running Android 4.4 or higher. As well as physical stores, it will also be possible to conveniently make payments inside apps on the smartphone without having to constantly enter card details. Android Pay itself is currently only available in the U.S., leaving Google some distance behind Apple's global roll out of its own contactless payment wallet.

Rich Edmonds