We have seen small speakers from Paytm and PhonePe at different shops that notify shopkeepers when the UPI payment is done. It seems Google will also launch a similar speaker soon. As per a report, Google is testing a soundbox called ‘Soundpod for Google Pay’ for merchants in India. This small speaker will alert the merchants about successful digital payments.
Google is currently distributing the product as an experiment to some sellers in Delhi and nearby regions. The device will have a QR code printed on it. This QR code will be linked to a merchant’s Google Pay for business account.
The device also features a speaker that announces the payment confirmation in different languages. There is also a small LCD panel to show the payment amount, network status, and battery. It lacks NFC for tap-and-pay payment.
Google Pay is facing tough competition from Paytm, PhonePe, and BharatPe. All the competitors have already launched their own soundboxes. You may have already seen similar soundboxes used by many shops and street vendors across the country. During the pilot test, Google is giving these devices to merchants for free. It is worth noting that competitors charge a monthly rental for soundboxes. PhonePe charges Rs. 50 per month and Paytm charges Rs. 125 per month.
Paytm was the first payments company that introduced soundbox back in 2020. It has already distributed over 5.8 million devices to date.
