Google Wallet

Question

I would like to use my phone for payments via NFC.  Verizon only offers ISIS, a total bust.  When will Google Wallet be available?

Answer 1

Explain what difference is Google doing from what MS did? By them locking out the secure element they are stopping potential competing bodies from entering the market.
snippets from what you linked.
The commission's decision to fine Microsoft was not challenged by the court, saying the company had blocked fair access to its markets.[24] E.U. competition commissioner, Joaquín Almunia, has said that such fines may not be effective in preventing anti-competitive behavior and that the commission now preferred to seek settlements that restrict businesses' plans instead. As such, 'The New York Times called the Microsoft decision "a decision that could mark the end of an era in antitrust law in which regulators used big fines to bring technology giants to heel."[24]
In January 2009, the European Commission announced it would investigate the bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows operating systems from Microsoft, saying "Microsoft's tying of Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation and ultimately reduces consumer choice."[28][29] In response, Microsoft announced that it would not bundle Internet Explorer with Windows 7 E, the version of Windows 7 to be sold in Europe.[30][31][32][33][34][35]
On 16 December 2009, the European Union agreed to allow competing browsers, with Microsoft providing a "ballot box" screen letting users choose one of twelve popular products listed in random order.[36] The twelve browsers were Avant, Chrome, Firefox, Flock, GreenBrowser, Internet Explorer, K-Meleon, Maxthon, Opera, Safari, Sleipnir, and Slim[37] which are accessible viaBrowserChoice.eu.
I willing to bet money the reason why wallet isn't in Europe is because they'll get the same fate as MS did.  If they did they'd have to open up the secure element to allow competition to flourish.
some references that fit in what I was saying about Google blocking the secure element.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft
It was further alleged that this restricted the market for competing web browsers (such as Netscape Navigator or Opera) that were slow to download over a modem or had to be purchased at a store. Underlying these disputes were questions over whether Microsoft altered or manipulated its application programming interfaces (APIs) to favor Internet Explorer over third party web browsers, Microsoft's conduct in forming restrictive licensing agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and Microsoft's intent in its course of conduct.