Google's Pony Express service will reportedly allow users to pay bills within Gmail

Google is currently working on a service which will allow Gmail users to pay their bills within their email accounts. Called Pony Express, users who wish to use this service will need to feed in their personal information, though this data identification will be handled by a third party rather than Google itself. Users might need to provide information such as a credit card number or phone numbers. A report by Re/Code states that with Pony Express, Google could take in the type of financial data which would allow it to expand into new businesses. This data could also be used to refine how advertisements are targeted to users on Google, YouTube and partnering sites. This service will allow users to settle their bills within Gmail which could either be with Google Wallet or any new service which has been introduced by Google. Even though most companies offer bill-paying services via email, the report says that Pony Express will make the payment process a lot more simpler as it would be organizing all the bills into one folder. It is not clear whether Pony Express is a code name or one that will be used when it comes out in the market. The report also pointed out that, apart from paying bills for yourself, the service will also allow Gmail users to forward bills onto other people such as roommates, spouses, etc. to split the full balance. There is no information provided as to whether this service will fetch any revenue for Google. Though there is no confirmation, the service is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter.