Google wants to be your shopping assistant, cart, coupon finder, and checkout lane
Android Police 2026-06-20 12:00:11
Context: Google has announced a new feature called Universal Cart, which aims to simplify online shopping by allowing users to add items to a cart as they browse the web, and then complete purchases later with user-approved limits. The feature was announced at Google's I/O 2026 conference in May and is now live on Android, iOS, and web platforms. This development puts Google in a position to act as a shopping assistant, cart, coupon finder, and checkout lane, potentially changing the way people shop online.
Key Facts
- Google's Universal Cart allows users to add items to a cart as they browse the web, tracking deals, price drops, price history, and restocks, while also enabling AI agents to complete purchases later under user-approved limits through its AP2 protocol.
- The cart is built on Google Wallet, which already knows users' saved payment methods and merchant perks, allowing them to cash in on discounts and points without having to remember everything.
- Google has developed a shared rulebook called the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) to enable AI agents to shop on behalf of users, which can build a cart on Google's own pages and then hand it over to the store if they opt in.
- The feature has already gained support from major retailers, including Nike, Sephora, Target, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, Wayfair, and Shopify brands like Fenty and Steve Madden, which are lining up to adopt the technology despite potential risks to their businesses.
- Google's Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) enables users to preauthorize purchases, allowing AI agents to assemble carts and finish purchases hours or days later, with payments running through tokenized Google Pay, ensuring financial details are not stored on the platform.