Google Play

645 'Google Play' stories March 2012 - August 2014

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.

Chromecast becomes even more of a no-brainer in the UK as price slashed to just £18

Ben Lovejoy Aug 22 2014 - 6:03 am PT

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There was very little reason for any self-respecting gadgeteer not to pick up a Chromecast stick at the full price of £30, but there’s even less excuse now that three online retailers – Amazon, Tesco and Currys – have discounted it to just £18.

Amazon is offering it with free delivery too. There’s no indication that this is a permanent price-cut (it’s still sitting at £30 on the Google Play site), so if you’ve been considering one, now would be the time to buy – especially with three free months of Google Play Music All Access thrown in.

Chromecast recently celebrated its first birthday, Google reporting that it had been used to cast content 400 million times in its first year. The capabilities of the devices have grown steadily, with Google last month adding mirroring from almost any Android device.

Via thenextweb. Image credit: softpedia.com

Minuum keyboard updated with new keyboard modes, more

Stephen Hall Aug 20 2014 - 1:01 pm PT

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Minuum just keeps on getting better with each update, and this one—as described on the company’s blog—gives you the flexibility to move the keyboard around the screen as you please by way of a couple new keyboard modes. The first of them is called floating mode, which lets you move the keyboard around at will as you can see in the above image. Secondly, compact mode is functionally similar to floating mode, and lets you dock the keyboard to different locations on the screen. Also included in this update is the ability for users to change how periods work when double tapping the space bar. Finally, some buttons—including layer and mode—have been removed from the shift menu to reduce clutter.

You can grab the updated Minuum from the Play Store.

1Password for Android updated w/ freemium pricing model, ability to create vaults on mobile, more

Chance Miller Aug 19 2014 - 5:49 pm PT

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When a totally revamped version of 1Password for Android was released to the Play Store earlier this summer, the AgileBits developers still weren’t quite sure on how to price the app. Since the release, the app has been free for anyone to use. At the time of release, AgileBits said that eventually, a premium version would be released with many of the features hidden in it. Now, in a blog post, the developer team has announced that, as part of today’s 1Password 4.1 update for Android, many of the premium features are behind in-app purchases.

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier hits Google Play a full 3 weeks before Blu-ray release

Mike Beasley Aug 19 2014 - 3:55 pm PT

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SlILk2WMTI]

Marvel’s blockbuster Captain America: The Winter Soldier won’t be available on Blu-ray for another three weeks, but fans of the franchise can grab the movie for $19.99 right now on the Google Play Store as part of an early release deal.

The movie, which takes its influence as much from political thrillers as more traditional popcorn-friendly superhero fare, is the followup to last year’s Captain America: The First Avenger and the subsequent team-up film The Avengers.

It’s not the first time a studio has timed the digital release of a movie ahead its physical media counterpart. Last year Star Trek Into Darkness got the same treatment three weeks before it hit store shelves. Typically movies will debut in both formats around the same time, with services like Netflix being forced to wait even longer to get them. It’s certainly interesting to see a subtle shift in priorities for some of the more popular movies.

Report: YouTube Music Key is Google’s upcoming subscription service w/ concerts, remixes, free Play Music Key

Chance Miller Aug 18 2014 - 3:01 pm PT

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We’ve been hearing rumors of a YouTube streaming music service for quite a while, but now Android Police has published a report detailing Google’s streaming music plans. The report claims that Google will soon launch a new service called YouTube Music Key, as well as rebrand Google Play Music All Access to Google Play Music Key.

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Google Play textbooks now available to purchase & rent in Canada

Jordan Kahn Aug 18 2014 - 10:52 am PT

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Google announced today that it’s launching the ability to purchase and rent textbooks in Canada through its Google Play Books service:

Starting now, students in Canada can rent or purchase digital textbooks from Google Play Books. With thousands of textbooks from top publishers, we have a comprehensive selection of higher education titles from science and mathematics to history and English, and everything in between… With the Google Play Books app, you have convenient tools at hand to make studying simpler and faster. You can instantly search within a textbook for a particular word or phrase, bookmark chapters and pages, highlight and annotate key passages and get quick access to dictionaries, translation tools, Wikipedia and Google search.

Google first started rolling out the feature to Google Play Books in the US last year.

The textbooks library is available through Google Play Books and accessible on Android, iOS devices, and through Google Play on the web. Canadians can head over to Google Play now to purchase or rent textbooks now.

Uber adds destination entry for riders & turn-by-turn navigation for drivers to mobile apps

Jordan Kahn Aug 13 2014 - 7:43 am PT

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Uber announced today that it’s added new features that will make the experience even more seamless for both users and its drivers.

We envision a day when there is no coordination necessary to take an Uber ride. Simply push the button, and the rest is essentially on cruise control: the car quickly shows up at exactly the right place and whisks you away to your destination via the best possible route. The latest rider and driver app releases take us one step closer to that world with two new features:

A new destination entry feature lets users quickly enter destination details into the Uber app that are then automatically available to the driver when they arrive. “You can literally skip the step where you tell the driver where you’re going.”

Uber has also added turn-by-turn navigation to its driver app: With one tap, the driver can enable turn-by-turn navigation to the destination you’ve provided. There’s no need to juggle multiple apps or waste time typing in an address.

Uber says the features are live now, although doesn’t list the features in the latest update that hit the app yesterday.

Google updates Android Distribution numbers for August, Jelly Bean continues decline as KitKat usage hits 21%

Chance Miller Aug 12 2014 - 4:01 pm PT

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Like it always does during the first half of a new month, Google this evening updated its Android Distribution data to reflect a 7 day period ending on August 12th. The data shows the most recent version of Android, KitKat, reach an all-time usage high at 20.9 percent, up from 17.9 percent this time last month. Jelly Bean continued its steady decline, falling from 56.5 percent to 54.2 percent.

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Dropbox for Android updated w/ in-app previews of Microsoft Office files, search enhancements, more

Chance Miller Aug 11 2014 - 2:16 pm PT

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Dropbox this evening began rolling out an update to its app on Android, bumping it to version number 2.4.3. The biggest change with this update is the addition of in-app previews for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint documents, as well as standard PDFs. The search process has also been revamped and now tracks recent queries and offers typeahead suggestions.

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Google Play Music once again limits device deauthorizations to four per year

Stephen Hall Aug 8 2014 - 6:56 am PT

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According to various reports swirling across the internet, Google is once again limiting the number of devices that users can disassociate with their Play Music accounts. Long time users of the music service can probably remember a time in 2012 when this policy was in place, and for one reason or another, the restriction was lifted. Apparently, now it’s back (via Android Central).

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Android Device Manager updated with new callback button for lost phones

Chance Miller Aug 7 2014 - 5:18 pm PT

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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.

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Google Play Music updated w/ new ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ widget, other interface tweaks

Chance Miller Aug 6 2014 - 1:08 pm PT

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Google this afternoon, as part of its Update Wednesday regiment, started rolling out an update to the Play Music app on Android. The update bumps the app to version 5.6.1616 and includes several interface tweaks and new features. For one, the update adds a newly-skinned 4×1 widget, as well as a new 1×1 widget that allows you to instantly listen “I’m Feeling Lucky” radio. For those unfamiliar, the “I’m Feeling Lucky” feature provides an infinite stream of music that Google thinks you will like.

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LG G Watch replacement charger now available from Google Play for $20

Mark Hearn Aug 5 2014 - 11:43 am PT

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Did you buy an LG G Watch and somehow managed to break or lose its charger? If so, your rescue ship has just pulled into Google Play. Whether you need a reserve or replacement charging cradle for LG’s new Android Wear-powered timepiece, Mountain View’s got you covered for $20.

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Amazon Seller app for merchants arrives for Android

Jordan Kahn Aug 1 2014 - 11:12 am PT

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Following a quiet launch for its Amazon Seller app for iOS devices back in March, today Amazon appears to have done the same for Android users. The Amazon Seller app is available on Google Play now allowing merchants selling goods through Amazon to manage their listings and interact with customers.

Use the Amazon Seller app for Android to help grow and manage your selling business on Amazon. The app’s mobile features make it easier than ever for you to quickly identify new selling opportunities on Amazon.com, list your items for sale, and respond to customer questions.

The Amazon Seller app is available for free on Google Play. A full list of features included in the initial release below:

Manage Inventory
Search, sort and filter your inventory items. Update prices and quantities on the go.

Search for new items to sell on Amazon
Check current prices, sales rank, and customer reviews of items on Amazon by using text search or scanning barcodes.

Estimate the profitability of your items before you sell
Add product cost information to see the estimated profitability of your items after primary Selling on Amazon and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees.

List your items for sale
Create listings on Amazon.com quickly and easily.

Respond to customer messages
Provide great customer service by responding to customer questions quickly with the app.

Support from Amazon
Have a question about selling on Amazon? Use the app to contact Seller Support.

Secure access to your Amazon Seller account
All activity is routed through Amazon’s servers.

Crowdfunding service Indiegogo has an Android app on the way

Jordan Kahn Jul 31 2014 - 8:21 am PT

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Crowdfunding service Indiegogo is finally going mobile alongside the launch of a new look for its main website and a recent $40 million Series B funding round in January. While noting the platform’s traffic has doubled international on mobile over the last year, the company today launched its first mobile app for iPhone and iPod touch. Android users don’t get to join in on the fun today, but the company did sneak in a mention that an Android app is indeed in the queue:

Android App Is In Flight!.. We know that many of our funders and campaigners are on Android – ourselves included! We’re excited to bring our platform to Android devices everywhere… Sign up below and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready for you.

Those interested in learning more when the Android app is available can sign up here. We imagine the app will have many of the same features of the iOS version launched today, which includes the ability to both discover and support projects and manage campaigns you’ve launched.

Google Play gift cards are coming to Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Mark Hearn Jul 30 2014 - 10:47 am PT

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Google Play gift cards are on their way to more European territories. Mountain View recently updated its support index for gift cards and promotional codes listing Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as “coming soon.” While these placeholders don’t give an exact release date, they do provide solid evidence that Google is bringing pre-paid Play Store cards to these new markets.

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Yahoo Finance for Android updated w/ new design, stock tracking & alerts, more

Zac Hall Jul 30 2014 - 10:29 am PT

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Yahoo has released a new version of its Finance app for Android featuring the addition of a new tab bar for quicker navigation and other visual changes creating a more open user interface.

The new tab bar at the top of the app consists of the primary Home view for information related to stocks you’re tracking, a new News tab for following general finance news and information, and a Markets view for an overview of U.S., Europe, and Asia finance data.

The update also includes support for adding stocks to your watch list, push notifications for those stocks including breaking news, and interactive graphs.

Yahoo Finance for Android is available on the Google Play Store.

Google Play Developer API now available to all developers

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

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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.
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Google says it delivered patch for Android’s “Fake ID” security flaw to partners

Jordan Kahn Jul 29 2014 - 8:57 am PT

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Citing research from Bluebox Security on an Android security flaw researchers have dubbed “Fake ID,” Arstechnica is out with a report today detailing how the vulnerability exposes a long list of Android users to malware threats.
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New NPR One app curates stories and creates a personalized stream of content

Chance Miller Jul 28 2014 - 10:58 am PT

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NPR today released a new app for Android to the Google Play Store. The app, called NPR One, curates all public radio stations in the United States and creates a stream of stories you’ll want to listen to. NPR says that it’s “public radio made personal.

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Google Play now has a dedicated section for offline games

Mark Hearn Jul 25 2014 - 9:18 am PT

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Not all Android games are created equally. Some file downloads are massive and well over a gigabyte in size, while others only require a few megabytes to get you up and running. The most perplexing thing about mobile games is that some titles require a connection to the internet, even after you’ve installed the game to your device.

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Chrome 37 beta launches on Android with material design

9to5 Staff Jul 24 2014 - 11:23 am PT

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Google this morning announced the beta release of Chrome 37 on Android.

According to Google’s blog post about the new version, Chrome 37 will feature the new material design language shown off at Google I/O and most recently found on the updated Play Store that rolled out this week.

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ZTE’s latest low-cost handset drops MiFlavor overlay in favor of pure Google goodness

Ben Lovejoy Jul 24 2014 - 5:47 am PT

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While those buying high-end handsets often get the option of Google Play editions that are free from manufacturer overlays, the same isn’t generally true of low-end ones, where manufacturer overlays rule. ZTE’s new Blade Vec 4G handset, though, is being supplied with the Google Now Launcher as the default interface, reports the WSJ.

“Some consumers may prefer Google Now Launcher,” said Zeng Xuezhong, ZTE’s head of mobile device business, in an interview Thursday. “We are trying to give users more options.”

The Chinese manufacturer says that it expects to sell around 20M smartphones in its home market this year, with a similar number in the US.

ZTE says that it plans to launch further Google edition handsets in future, but that it will continue to use the MiFlavor overlay on others. Its high-end Nubia Z7 was announced earlier this month, but it’s not yet clear whether it will make it to the USA.

Fleksy keyboard for Android redesigned, adds premium themes & 17 new languages

Mark Gurman Jul 23 2014 - 5:57 am PT

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Flesky, a popular third-party keyboard option for Android, is rolling out version 3.0 that brings a refreshed user-interface design, new premium features, and more languages. Fleksy makes typing on smartphones quicker using a combination of advanced text prediction and an iOS QuickType-like function for predicting the next complete word in a sentence.

Today’s refreshed design brings clearer letters and new color tones. Besides the included color variations, users of the paid version of Fleshy from Google Play will be able to purchase additional themes through the keyboard’s settings. There will be six paid themes, and paid Fleksy users will receive one premium download at no cost. Fleksy is also bringing 17 new languages out of beta and enhancing the 40 previously available languages.

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