Big Changes Ahead: Google’s New Ideas for the Play Store

Google is introducing a suite of new features to its Google Play store on Android, aiming to enhance user experience and make the platform more than just a marketplace for apps. One of the standout additions is the new "Collections" section. This feature organizes content from apps users have already installed into categories like shop, watch, and listen. It includes a “continue watching” row for streaming apps and highlights the latest deals from select retailers. This design aims to help users seamlessly pick up where they left off, offering a more integrated and personalized experience.

The Play Points reward program is also getting a significant boost. Google is introducing “super weekly prizes” for gold, platinum, and diamond members. These enhanced rewards include high-value items such as Pixel devices, Razer gaming products, and other hardware. The prizes will rotate weekly and can be claimed from the Play Points perks tab, making the program more appealing and engaging for users.

In the gaming arena, the Play Games service is seeing notable enhancements. PC users can now play multiple titles simultaneously, building on previous updates like 4K support. Additionally, when searching for games on the Play store, users can refine their suggestions using new interest filters, improving the discoverability of games that match their preferences.

For users in Japan, Google is introducing a new curated space dedicated to comics. This section offers a comprehensive comics experience, including free first chapter previews, live events, trailers, editor picks, and fan reviews, all accessible without the need to install third-party apps. This move follows a similar initiative in India with a cricket section and demonstrates Google’s commitment to tailoring content to regional interests.

Importantly, Google is giving users more control over the data used for personalized recommendations in Google Play. Users can now exclude apps that contain sensitive data from influencing the store’s personalization algorithms. This option is accessible through the “Personalization in Play” section in the main menu, allowing for greater privacy and customization. These updates, which were previewed at a media briefing in New York City by Google Play VP Sam Bright, are part of Google’s efforts to create a more integrated and engaging user experience on Google Play. Bright also highlighted expansions of AI-generated app reviews and a new tool that simplifies comparing apps in similar categories, making it easier for users to find the right app for their needs.

Google is introducing several new features to its Google Play store on Android, aiming to enhance the user experience and transform the platform into an end-to-end service. One notable addition is "Collections," which organizes content from installed apps into categories like shop, watch, and listen. This feature aims to help users seamlessly continue their activities by providing a “continue watching” row for streaming apps and highlighting the latest deals from selected retailers.

The Play Points reward program is being upgraded with “super weekly prizes” for gold, platinum, and diamond members, offering high-value items such as Pixel devices, Razer gaming products, and other hardware. These prizes will rotate weekly and can be claimed from the Play Points perks tab, enhancing the program's appeal and engagement. In the gaming domain, the Play Games service now allows PC users to play multiple titles simultaneously, building on previous updates like 4K support. Additionally, users can refine their game suggestions using new interest filters when searching for games, improving the discoverability of games that match their preferences.

For users in Japan, Google is launching a curated space dedicated to comics, offering free first chapter previews, live events, trailers, editor picks, and fan reviews without requiring third-party app installations. This initiative follows a similar one in India with a cricket section and demonstrates Google's commitment to providing region-specific content. Google is also enhancing user control over data used for personalized recommendations. Users can now exclude apps with sensitive data from influencing the store’s personalization algorithms, accessible through the “Personalization in Play” section in the main menu.

These updates, previewed by Google Play VP Sam Bright at a media briefing, are part of Google's efforts to create a more integrated and engaging user experience on Google Play. The updates include expanded AI-generated app reviews and a new tool for easier comparison of apps within similar categories, making it simpler for users to find the right app for their needs. While these features aim to increase user engagement and time spent on the platform, options like Collections remain optional, allowing users to continue using Google Play as a straightforward app destination if they prefer.