Google’s code name ‘Pony Express’: Pay bills using Gmail

Getting a bill in your mail box or your inbox is something that nobody likes. Well, no one likes paying bills, we neither. However, it has to still be paid, or else….you know what happens later. Paying bills each month is not an easy task, unless you do it online. However, each bill is only delivered to your mailbox or to your inbox (if you are using the paperless option). The bill then needs to be paid using the service provider’s website and then your banking site. Wouldn’t it have been simple if you could simply pay all your bills without heading to the necessary (multiple) websites?

Yes, we know that it would definitely be great to pay your bills directly from one place. And what’s better than your inbox itself. Google has a new project in place and has code named it as Pony Express. A report on Re/Code mentions that the Google service is simple and allows you to pay your monthly bills directly from your Gmail inbox.

Billions of users use Gmail as their primary email service. All you need to do is register your billing to the Gmail address, assign your bank or credit cards to the Gmail service and you are done. When the bill arrives in your inbox, you can check out the bill by opening the email and simply approve the payment. What’s more, the service will also be a boon, catering to roommates who share the bill—bills can be passed on to friends and mates to have them pay for it.

Re/Code has viewed the documents by Google, which mentions that the service could go live by year end. The document also mentions that Google is partnering with third-party vendors that print and mail out bills on behalf of other service providers, such as insurance, utilities, telecom, and others.

How it works:

You should authenticate your Gmail email address with your biller to receive bills and pay them from Gmail directly. Once done, you will start seeing the bills automatically showing up, neatly organized under the Pony Express folder (if that is the name Google sticks to). You can then click on the mail (bill), and choose to pay directly. Depending on the authentication of the payment service, you will then receive a popup list asking you to pay now, later, from your debit card or credit card.

Google could be linking the payment service directly via Google Wallet. However, the entire information on the new service is scarce and there should be more information in due time. Would you be using the service? Would it be convenient for you? Would you share your banking information with Google? We would like to know your opinion.