In order to compete with Apple Pay, it appears that Google is going back to an idea that didn’t work for Square: allowing consumers to pay while leaving their phone in their pocket. According to The Information, the new system, currently being tested, is called Plaso (pronounced “Play-So”) and uses Bluetooth to authenticate a user’s phone as a security measure, but relies primarily on a customer speaking his initials to the cashier in order to identify himself. Square Wallet, which was pulled from app stores last May, had a similar user experience, letting them keep their phones in their pockets while customers would be verified by their name and face. This was all to avoid any tapping, typing, or swiping, but it didn’t work out. Plaso’s relationship with Google Wallet is unclear.

http://bankinnovation.net/2015/02/heres-what-googles-doing-to-counter-apple-pay/