Google has launched its first version of the Google Wallet app to Sprint, a significant step in the implementation of near field communication (NFC) technology.

With NFC, users can simply pay for goods by waving their phone in front of a contactless payment scanner. In other words, NFC allows for simplified transactions, data exchange, and connections with a touch. A smartphone or tablet with an NFC chip could make a credit card payment or serve as keycard or ID card.

"We've been testing it extensively, and today we're releasing the first version of the app to Sprint. That means we're beginning to roll out Google Wallet to all Sprint Nexus S 4G phones through an over-the-air update-just look for the 'Wallet' app," Osama Bedier, Vice President of Payments, wrote in a blog post.

The 'Wallet' app, which would be available in Sprint Nexus S 4G phones, would work with Visa, American Express and Discover in future, with Citi and MasterCard being launch partners.

Google plans to bring the app to more phones and said, "Our goal is to make it possible for you to add all of your payment cards to Google Wallet, so you can say goodbye to even the biggest traditional wallets."