Google Play Store

A day after rolling out updates to nearly every app it makes, Google this afternoon has announced an update to the Play Store itself. In a post on Google+, Google employee Krill Grouchnikov announced the update, saying that it’s coming soon to Android devices everywhere. The update makes several user interface tweaks for both pre-Lollipop devices and ones on Lollipop. It bumps the app to version 5.1.

AirDroid 3 is a third-party Android solution for Apple’s ‘Continuity’ features

Stephen Hall Dec 4 2014 - 9:26 am PT

5 Comments

AirDroid is a well known Android app that has long allowed you to remote-control your Android phone from a Windows or Mac OS X machine. But with the countless updates that Apple brought to iOS this year and the continuity features that tie the iPhone and Mac OS together seamlessly, Android users were left with much to desire. The latest version of AirDroid makes an attempt at filling that hole in Android users’ hearts with its latest release, bringing tons of features that make using your phone from a desktop environment easier than ever.

Google Play Store celebrates Cyber Monday with up to 50% off apps, movies, music, more

Zac Hall Dec 1 2014 - 7:12 am PT

Google is starting out Cyber Monday with up to 50% off “top titles” including apps, games, music, movies, books, and more on the Play Store. Deals include a wide range of content like movies including The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in HD for $9.99 down from the regular $17.99 price and Fight Club for $4.99 down from $9.99.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Search for Android updated with Material Design makeover, improved reminders and more

9to5 Staff Nov 12 2014 - 12:08 pm PT

With the release of Android Lollipop for a wider lineup of Nexus devices expected to occur any day now, the official Google Search app has been updated with a brand new design and several new features that make searching for everything from the best sushi in Chicago to Van Gogh research for a school project that much better of an experience.

First and foremost, the Google Search app has been revamped with a Material Design user interface and that includes bold colors, fluid animations and simplified layouts. Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 users also benefit from being able to activate “Ok, Google” searches even when the smartphone is unplugged and the display is off.

The latest version Google’s official app is more effective at organizing your day-to-day life by automatically pulling events that it feels you might want to follow up on, like catching up with Chris over dinner or getting drinks with Susan. Normally, these small events would be buried in your inbox and you might forget to follow up on them later.
Expand
Expanding
Close

A closer look at upcoming Android Wear app update with Material Design

9to5 Staff Nov 11 2014 - 9:00 am PT

Google is slowly updating its apps with Material Design guidelines ahead of the widespread release of Android Lollipop, with the official Android Wear companion app the latest set to receive a makeover. This morning, leaked screenshots surfaced of both the new Android Wear app alongside the latest version of Google Play Services.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google promises to restock Nexus 6 every Wednesday

Chance Miller Nov 4 2014 - 4:09 pm PT

When the Nexus 6 first went up for order on the Play Store, the process was anything but seamless for customers. The device sold-out almost instantly and Google’s servers took a massive hit, making it nearly impossible for anyone to get through and place an order. If you’re still looking to get your hands on a Nexus 6, however, Google this evening has announced its plans for restocking the device.

Developers can now submit Android TV apps to the Play Store

Chance Miller Nov 3 2014 - 4:17 pm PT

Continuing its barrage of Android announcements today, Google this evening has announced that developers can now start submitting Android TV apps to the Play Store. This is to be expected as the Nexus Player starts to make its way into the hands of consumers. Google says that in addition to publishing apps exclusively for Android TV onto the Play Store, developers can also extend their existing apps for TV and publish them.

Google Nexus 6 unboxing and first impressions (Video)

Dom Esposito Oct 31 2014 - 2:06 pm PT

Google’s Motorola-made Nexus 6 is finally a thing. Preorders didn’t go over well for everyone, but hopefully it won’t be too difficult to pick one up from a carrier or the Play Store after its official launch. Meanwhile, here’s what you can expect from the Nexus 6 if you decide to grab one. We’re unboxing the Nexus 6 and taking a closer look at what it has to offer in terms of design and overall first impressions. Is this going to be the best Android flagship in 2014? Let’s find out…

Google Drive for Android gets improved search, better sharing & enhanced PDF viewer

9to5 Staff Oct 29 2014 - 2:25 pm PT

Google has updated Drive for Android with a Material Design facelift and three new features in improved search, better sharing and an enhanced PDF viewer that make it easier for users to find, view and share through the app. The update will be rolling out on the Play Store for Android devices over the next several days.

The new search bar in Drive is easier and more predictive at finding content by updating results as each letter is typed into the field. Meanwhile, the app has improved sharing functionality that allows for users to write a custom comment on shared files so that all collaborators know why they sent it.
Expand
Expanding
Close

PSA: Google’s Nexus 6 preorders are live

Dom Esposito Oct 29 2014 - 10:16 am PT

1 Comment

Google has just raised the gates on Nexus 6 preorders via the Play Store. The Nexus 6 preorder date was unveiled on its Play Store landing page earlier this month and the time has finally come…

Google Play Store app updated with Material Design interface, clearer What’s New section

Ben Lovejoy Oct 10 2014 - 6:45 am PT

Google has updated its Play Store app with a more comprehensive Material Design makeover, and a What’s New section that is both clearer and easier to use.

Version 5.0.31 sees a new, flat Play Store logo, together with flatter icons in the sidebar, and the categories now use the bright colors of the Material Design palette …
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google announces that you can now pre-order movies on Google Play

Chance Miller Oct 7 2014 - 5:16 pm PT

In a post on Google+ this evening, Google has announced that starting today users in the United States can now pre-oder feature films from Google Play. This means that customers can get their copy of movies before they’re released digitally or on DVD to the rest of the United States.

Pre-order movies have arrived on Google Play! Excited about an awesome big-screen blockbuster? Now you can reserve your copy of box-office hits before they’re released digitally or on DVD!

Google updates Play Store DDA with changes to customer support requirements, Google-handled VAT

Stephen Hall Sep 25 2014 - 12:52 pm PT

Google has updated the Play Store Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) with a few notable changes that developers will likely want to pay attention to (via Android Police). First on the list, developers are now required to respond to customer service requests for paid apps and in-app purchases within 3 days.

For paid Products or in-app transactions, you must respond to customer support inquiries within three (3) business days, and within 24 hours to any support or Product concerns stated to be urgent by Google. Failure to provide adequate information or support for your Products may result in low Product ratings, less prominent product exposure, low sales, billing disputes, or removal from the Store.

Secondly, a huge change to how European VAT is handled is definitely going to make developers’ lives much easier. While developers have long been expected to handle the VAT tax for EU sales, Google is going to take over this task as of January 1st, 2015. Determining, charging, and remitting this tax is going to all be up to the fine folks in Mountain View.

Where Google, the Payment Processor or the Authorized Carrier is required by applicable (local) legislation to determine, apply and pay the applicable tax rate, Google, the Payment Processor or the Authorized Carrier (and not Developer) will be responsible for applying and collecting and remitting the taxes to the appropriate taxing authority. If Google collects and remits value added taxes on customer payments (where required of Google by applicable local law) and this remittance fulfils the applicable requirements for value added taxes on those customer payments, such taxes will not be passed on to Developer by Google. Where Google is required to collect and remit taxes as described in this section, Developer and Google will recognise a supply from Developer to Google for tax purposes, and developer will comply with the relevant tax obligations arising from this additional supply.

Brazilian judge orders Google to remove Secret from the Play Store, remotely delete from users’ phones

Mike Beasley Aug 19 2014 - 6:41 pm PT

3 Comments

A judge in Brazil has had it with the anonymous bullying carried out on social networking apps like Secret and has stepped in to put a stop to it, according to a report from Estadao [translation]. Judge Paulo Cesar de Carvalho has ruled that Google must delete the application from its Play Store, but the ruling doesn’t stop there.

According to the report, the judge has demanded that Google remotely delete the application from every device that has installed it in the country. While that might sound like a hilarious case of a judge not understanding how technology works, you may be surprised to learn that it’s actually a capability that Google has, sort of.

Google’s #PlaySale kicks off, brings huge discounts on apps, games, movies and more

Stephen Hall Aug 8 2014 - 6:32 am PT

Google yesterday kicked off what it’s calling the #PlaySale in 17 countries, and with it comes some fantastic deals across the marketplace. Tons of movies are going on sale to be available for less than $10, tons of apps are going free, and hit games are getting some steep discounts.

Be sure to check out Google’s discounted movies feature page, where you’ll find titles like Anchorman 2, Gravity, Son of God, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, all for less than $10. Likewise, Google is touting “up to 85% off and more!” on a huge selection of apps and games, where you’ll find everything from indie games to popular third-party apps. Also, as an added bonus, you’ll find that many apps are offering discounts on in-app purchases as well.

17 countries are about to get the lowest prices of the year on new titles. Check out #PlaySale http://t.co/0rhDnZfUu9 pic.twitter.com/T8xE1sktPp

— Google Play (@GooglePlay) August 8, 2014

Android Device Manager updated with new callback button for lost phones

Chance Miller Aug 7 2014 - 5:18 pm PT

Google today rolled out an update to its Android Device Manager app that bumps it to version 1.3.8. For those unfamiliar, Android Device Manager is Google’s solution for those who have lost or misplaced their phone or tablet and need to locate it. Today’s update is relatively minor, but there is one feature that will be incredibly e helpful, should you misplace your device.

Google increases Play Store refund time for games to 2 hours

9to5 Staff Aug 4 2014 - 11:40 am PT

For years, the standard refund time on apps from the Play Store has been 15 minutes. Today, Android Police is reporting that Google is quietly rolling out a small but welcome change to that system, increasing the refund time on certain apps to two hours. The catch though is that the extended period only applies to games, so don’t expect to try out Nova Launcher Prime before making on your mind on which launcher you want to use.

Google Play Developer API now available to all developers

9to5 Staff Jul 29 2014 - 11:51 am PT

Google announced on Tuesday that it has made the Google Play Developer Publishing API available to all developers, allowing for various publishing and management tasks for apps. The API can be used for managing in-app products and subscriptions, products purchase status, subscriptions purchase management, uploading new versions of an app, releasing apps by assigning APKs to various tracks, and creating and modifying Play Store listings.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Google Play Store update rolling out with new Material Design inspired look

Chance Miller Jul 22 2014 - 6:16 pm PT

Last week, screenshots of an upcoming Play Store redesign leaked, showing off a much cleaner, Material Design inspired design, and today, the update finally started rolling out to users. The update bumps the Play Store to version 4.9.13 and packs a variety of enhancements and changes.

Google Play Store now lets you flag content as inappropriate from the Web

Zac Hall Jul 16 2014 - 6:32 am PT

The ability to flag content on the Google Play Store as inappropriate, a feature long available on Android, has recently hit the Web version as well. The link to do just that can now be found on the web interface under Report within the Additional information section of the content’s description. While the feature is likely targeted toward apps that may violate some policy or have a lower-than-appropriate content rating, it does extend to other media like books, music and TV shows, and music distributed on the Google Play Store as well.

Leaked screenshots show off revamped Play Store designs – bigger, bolder, clearer

Ben Lovejoy Jul 14 2014 - 4:26 am PT

1 Comment

Here’s what the Google Play Store is likely to look like when it gets its ‘Material Design’ revamp based on the new look and feel of Android L. Google has already started rolling out the new design language on the web in the form of new pages for Docs, Sheets and Slides.

The screenshots were obtained by Android Police, which says that the redesign of the Play Store is “well underway” …
Expand
Expanding
Close

Talon for Android ‘L’ provides early glimpse of Material Design in action

9to5 Staff Jul 3 2014 - 8:02 am PT

For those lucky enough to be running the Android L developer preview for Nexus devices, the lead developer of Talon for Twitter Luke Klinker has released an early version of the popular third-party Twitter app based on the new Material Design user interface unveiled at Google I/O. Klinker has redesigned the tweet viewer and timeline over the past few days, and is now offering users a chance to test the app.

Google launches official Android Wear companion app, new section for Wear apps on Play Store

Chance Miller Jul 2 2014 - 5:59 pm PT

Google tonight made a pair of enhancements to the Play Store for the lucky people with an Android Wear device. First off, the company has released the official Android Wear companion app for Android. This app connects with your Android Wear device (i.e. the Gear Live or G Watch) and allows you to control voice action preferences, adjust notification settings, and configure various other settings for your watch.

Google Play Edition Galaxy S5 still exists, shows up again in leaked image

Chance Miller Jul 1 2014 - 8:17 am PT

1 Comment

The Galaxy S5 Google Play Edition has been the subject of a lot of leaks lately, between it passing through Bluetooth certification, briefly appearing on the Play Store, and appearing on a Play Store support page. Now, notorious Twitter leaker @evleaks has posted a render of the device, seemingly confirming its existence, yet again. The Google Play Edition S5 looks identical to its TouchWiz counterpart, aside of course, from the software.

The Google Play Edition HTC One M8 is already available on the Play Store, so it seems a bit odd that it is taking Samsung and Google so long to release its Play Edition device for the year, but with this render coupled with all of the other leaks, the device still seems to exist and is presumably coming sooner rather than later.