Google Play Store

724 'Google Play Store' stories August 2012 - December 2018

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Before the unified Play branding, Google had the Android Market, Google Music, and Google eBookstore. Google decided to merge and rebrand its individual digital offerings into the Play Store in March of 2012.

The Play Store is now the default place to purchase apps, movies & television, music, books, and news subscriptions for all Android devices. The latter four offerings having their individual Android and iOS apps to watch, listen, and read purchased content. Most content can also be accessed through the web.

In April of 2016, the suite of icons were redesigned in a similar style to provide a consistent look across all devices and the web.

Google Play redesign w/ revamped navigation, organization, and bright UI more widely rolling out on Android

Abner Li Dec 1 2018 - 12:32 am PT

Google Play Store Android

For the better part of 2018, the Google Play Store on Android has been testing revamped navigation. Organizationally, it is simpler and cuts down on duplicity, but is somewhat of a departure. As of this evening, the Google Play redesign is more widely rolling out on Android.

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Google has reinstated SMS and call access to Tasker

Damien Wilde Nov 19 2018 - 6:09 am PT

Google Play Store Android

We reported last week that popular Android automation app, Tasker, had been denied access to call logs and SMS send, receive and read functions. That meant the disabling of a multitude of app features due to Google’s policy to protect the privacy of users. Google has since restored Tasker access to these functions so long as the developers adhere to some rules and regulations.
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Google Play Store has denied Tasker access to Android call and SMS capabilities

Kyle Bradshaw Nov 12 2018 - 3:21 pm PT

Google Play Store

Just over a month ago, we reported that the Google Play Store was enacting a new policy to help curb call and text data leaks. In the announcement, Google promised that some apps which didn’t meet the strict new criteria would be able to apply for an exemption to the policy. Popular Android automation app, Tasker, has been thoroughly denied such an exemption.

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[Update: Now open] Google Play Best of 2018 Awards will include Fan Favorite voting

Abner Li Nov 12 2018 - 7:45 am PT

With the end of the year nearly in sight, Google likes to do annual recaps for Search and YouTube. On the Play Store front, the Google Play Best of 2018 Awards will allow users to vote on the best app and game in two weeks.

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Google Pixel 3 XL

Google giving some Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL owners free Play Store credit

Abner Li Nov 5 2018 - 9:23 am PT

Compared to previous generations, the pre-order gift that came with the Pixel 3 was only $50 in Google Store credit and a six month trial of YouTube Music Premium for new subscribers. However, Google is now attempting to remedy the somewhat lackluster incentive with a few dollars of free Play Store credit.

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Google Play Store

Google might be developing a ‘Play Pass’ subscription service for Android apps & games

Abner Li Oct 26 2018 - 1:45 pm PT

Google Play Store Android

Earlier this month, Google announced a slew of new features for Android developers like Instant Apps to demo paid games to In-App Updates that are particularly useful for the large downloads. This emphasis on gaming reflects how profitable the category is with a possible “Play Pass” subscription service now in the works.

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Google Play begins P2P app install beta w/ partners, Files Go support coming

Abner Li Oct 19 2018 - 2:52 pm PT

Google Play

Peer-to-peer sharing of apps is common in developing nations where data is limited due to connectivity or price. Over the past few months, Google has been working to make the practice more secure for users. Today, it is beginning a beta of offline P2P installs by partnering with third-party applications.

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Instant Apps can now demo paid games as Google Play tests In-App Updates, more

Abner Li Oct 18 2018 - 10:00 am PT

Google Play Store

Google hosts an annual Playtime event to announce the latest Play Store features for Android developers. This year, Google Play Instant is adding support for premium and upcoming applications, while In-App Updates and a slew of other analytic features are coming.

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[Update: Back online] It’s not just you, YouTube and other Google services are down

Kyle Bradshaw Oct 16 2018 - 6:55 pm PT

Google’s services are ubiquitous enough that it’s pretty noteworthy when they go down. Tonight, it seems multiple services are suffering an outage, including YouTube, and a quick search on Twitter reveals that it’s a fairly widespread problem.

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Google Play Store

New Play Store policy will help prevent Android call and text data leaks

Kyle Bradshaw Oct 8 2018 - 1:37 pm PT

Google is implementing a new Play Store policy to combat abuse and potential leakage of sensitive call and text logs by third-party developers.

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Some Google One users receiving $5 in Play credits to make up for rough launch

Stephen Hall Sep 13 2018 - 10:01 pm PT

Google One

The Google One launch was a bit rough. The service was announced at I/O, then it went up on the Play Store 10 days later, and then it became officially available to “everyone” in mid-August. But the problem with that was that it wasn’t actually available to everyone.

Now Google’s trying to make up for the headache…

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GAlaxy s8 and note 8 android 11

Rootless Pixel Launcher returns to the Play Store after ditching installation prompt

Ben Schoon Sep 11 2018 - 2:34 pm PT

Rootless Pixel Launcher was removed from the Google Play Store earlier this month due to a violation of Google’s policies, but just a few days later, an updated version has returned…

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Google working on ‘Play Points’ loyalty program for the Play Store [APK Insight]

Abner Li Sep 5 2018 - 11:42 am PT

google play points US

Over the past year, Google Play — and other app stores — have worked to increase curation through editorial content and top lists. A concurrent trend has been letting users beta test apps and games ahead of launch in a move that also helps developers find bugs. The Play Store is now working on a loyalty program called “Play Points.”

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Google Play giving developers more insight into how users are discovering Android apps

Abner Li Aug 24 2018 - 11:05 am PT

Google Play Store

App Store curation is a trend on both Android and iOS with Google last year introducing an Editors’ Choice section featuring editorial lists and recommendations. Google is now providing developers with more insight into how users are discovering apps on the Play Store.

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Google wants to increase Wear OS app quality with mandatory Play Store review

Abner Li Aug 15 2018 - 12:59 pm PT

With a “lead smartwatch” coming this fall and rumors of a Google-made Pixel wearable, Wear OS has seen a flurry of activity in recent weeks. Google today announced a new initiative aimed at improving Wear app quality by instituting a Play Store review process.

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Google, Epic Games, Fortnite, lawsuit

Google Play officially acknowledges that Fortnite is not in the Play Store

Abner Li Aug 10 2018 - 1:10 am PT

Earlier this month, Epic Games detailed that Fortnite would require a direct APK download and install. With the game officially launching yesterday on Samsung devices and a general Android beta opening this weekend, Google is acknowledging that the hit gaming sensation is not available through the Play Store.

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Google Play Store testing card-based search interface w/ thumbnails

Ben Schoon Jul 19 2018 - 10:23 am PT

Google is constantly testing out new tweaks to its interface in various applications, and today a new Play Store search UI is rolling out to some users.

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Search in Google Play Store broken as Android app results endlessly repeat

Abner Li Jul 3 2018 - 12:35 pm PT

Google Play Store

Just last week, some users encountered a bug on the Play Store that prevented them from seeing a developer’s full list of applications. Another similar bug has now emerged that results in duplicate Android app listings when searching.

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Google names top Android Excellence apps and games for Q3 2018

Abner Li Jul 3 2018 - 10:18 am PT

With the Android Excellence program last year, Google replaced the Editors’ Choice section of the Play Store. Focused on editorial curation and lists, this quarterly collection highlights the best Android apps, games, and experiences, with the latest July 2018 edition now available.

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Google Play Store bug prevents you from viewing a developer’s full list of Android apps

Abner Li Jun 29 2018 - 10:35 am PT

Google Play Store

For the past several days, an odd Play Store bug has prevented users from seeing a developer’s full list of available apps. On Android, scrolling through “All apps” will instead duplicate listings and be endlessly scrollable.

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Google Play’s redesigned Subscription Center simplifies recurring Android app bills

Abner Li Jun 20 2018 - 1:57 pm PT

Google Play Store

Announced at I/O 2018, Google Play’s new Subscription Center is now widely rolled out to provide users with an easier way to manage recurring payments from Android apps and services. The redesign features simplified options, while developers are gaining more tools to monetize applications.

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Android apps installed peer-to-peer will appear in Play Library, gain offline protections

Abner Li Jun 19 2018 - 10:35 am PT

Google Play Store

Last year, Google announced that Android apps would incorporate security metadata to verify that it was officially distributed by the Play Store. Today, Google is expanding that data to include additional verification for installs through peer-to-peer sharing.

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google photos app

How to turn on automatic app updates on Android

Justin Duino May 12 2018 - 1:16 pm PT

To make sure you get the latest features and security fixes, it’s essential to regularly update the apps on your Android devices. So that you don’t need to manually do this every couple of days, you can have the Play Store automatically update your apps whenever a newer version is available. Here’s how.

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2018 Google Play Award winners highlight the top Android apps and games

Abner Li May 7 2018 - 9:03 pm PT

In a departure from previous years, the Google Play Awards were unveiled on the eve of I/O 2018. With nominees first announced late last month, these are the top Android apps and games as chosen by Google employees throughout the company.

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