Google Pay’s portable speaker SoundPod to be available for small merchants across India

Google Pay Introduces SoundPod for Small Merchants in India

In a recent announcement, Google Pay revealed that it will be making its portable speaker SoundPod available for small merchants across India in the coming months. The company initially introduced the SoundPod product on a limited pilot basis last year.

The SoundPod is an audio device designed to help merchants track QR code payments with audio alerts when a payment is received. Ambarish Kenghe, Vice President – Product, Google Pay, shared that participating merchants have provided positive feedback, noting that it reduces checkout time.

Kenghe further stated, “We’re pleased to announce SoundPods will be available for small merchants across India over the coming months, bringing considerable ease and convenience to millions of SMBs.”

This move by Google Pay indicates its intention to compete with other players in the portable speaker market such as Paytm and PhonePe, who are also expanding their portable speaker devices. Additionally, in January, Google Pay announced a collaboration with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to make UPI payments possible from outside India and to facilitate the adoption of UPI-like frameworks in countries beyond the country.

Google Pay was launched in India in September 2017 and continues to evolve its approach in various countries. However, the company clarified that these changes will not have any bearing on how the Google Pay app functions for users and merchants in India.