The publication of a patent filing has increased speculation that Google is getting ready to launch a service that would enable users to pay for purchases using SMS text messages.The patent, which was filed in February last year but has only just been made public, describes a "computer-implemented method of effectuating an electronic on-line payment".
The system would allow users to send an SMS text message from a mobile phone to a computer server detailing payment amounts and an intended recipient.
Once the transaction had been processed, the 'GPay' user would have an appropriate amount deducted from his or her account and the money would be credited to the payee.
Commenting on the move, intomobile.com said: "Pay the milkman with your mobile phone ... tip the neighbourhood paperboy with an SMS text message - the possibilities are exciting, to say the least."
The search engine has played down the public release of its patent filing, however, saying: "We file patent applications on a variety of ideas that our employees come up with."
Some of these ideas materialise into real products or services while others do not, it added.
Google is set to release its own mobile handset in the near future and speculation concerning its launch date reached new heights last week, with a number of credible bloggers suggesting it could be exhibited some time early this month.
