What you need to know

• Google Play apps will soon become discoverable directly through Gemini on Android and the web.
• Play Shorts adds TikTok-style vertical videos to help users discover apps before downloading.
• Google is adding AI-powered developer tools for translations, subscriptions, and app publishing.

Google just announced a massive set of updates for Google Play at I/O 2026, and as expected, a lot of them revolve around AI and app discovery.

Google Play apps and games are getting deeper integration with Gemini. Google says apps and games will soon become discoverable directly through the Gemini app on Android and the web, allowing developers to surface their apps to millions of Gemini users.

Later this year, Gemini will also start surfacing apps related to more than 450,000 movies, TV shows, and sports streams, helping users quickly find where specific content is available.

Google already offers an AI-powered feature that lets users ask questions about apps directly from their Play Store listing. The company is now expanding that functionality further into a feature called Ask Play. Instead of typing simple keywords, users will now be able to ask more natural questions and continue the conversation to discover apps and games more easily.

Another major addition is Play Shorts, a new short-form vertical video feed designed to help users discover apps visually. Google says Play Shorts gives users a quick look at an app's interface, functionality, and overall feel before downloading it. The feature is currently rolling out in the U.S. and is limited to select developers for now.

Google is also introducing several new developer-focused tools. One of the biggest additions is a new Gemini-powered Google Play Console experience. Developers will soon be able to localize app listings using structured CSV files or Google Sheets, while Gemini automatically pre-populates translated app listings across multiple languages.

Google is also adding new monetization improvements. One upcoming feature will allow low-risk users to temporarily retain access to subscriptions even after failed payments, while Google retries the transaction in the background rather than immediately cutting off access.

And alongside all of this, Google also announced at I/O that developers can now build Android apps directly through Google AI Studio using text prompts.

What you need to know

• Google has removed the option to uninstall system app updates directly from Play Store listings.
• The change affects many devices and app types, including hidden system apps.
• Users can still uninstall system app updates, but only through the app's settings menu on their device.

Google is rolling out an update for the Play Store that takes away its ability to easily uninstall app updates for system apps.

One of the best parts about Android is that, unlike iOS, manufacturers, such as Google and Samsung, can send out updates for their system apps, such as Phone, Messages, Samsung Internet, and more, without pushing a full software update. However, as with every piece of software, these updates are not always perfect.

Some system app updates contain issues as well, and many of us have had to roll back to a previous version of an app to continue using it as it worked before the update. One of the easiest ways to do that until now was to go directly to the Play Store listing for that system app and tap the Uninstall updates button.

And while this option was convenient since you didn't need to dig into any settings, it seems like it's going away.

Rolling back system apps now needs extra steps

As reported by Android Authority, the button to uninstall updates for system apps in the Google Play Store is now gone. The change appears to be widespread and is already rolling out to all devices, and it isn't tied to any specific Play Store version. For me, the option is also gone on my Google Pixel 10 Pro running Play Store version 49.1.33-31.

While the Play Store listing previously showed an Uninstall button for these system apps, the option is now gone entirely, leaving a blank white space where the button used to be. Moreover, as the report suggests, apps that don't show up in the app drawer, such as Android Auto and Android System WebView, are also affected by this change.

We don't yet know why Google is doing this, and there doesn't seem to be a clear reason behind the change for now. However, the option disappearing from the Play Store doesn't mean you can no longer downgrade or uninstall system app updates.

You can still uninstall system app updates by going to the app's settings, tapping the three-dot menu, and selecting Uninstall updates. It's just that the option has now been removed from the Play Store.

What you need to know

• Google Play now shows a Where to watch card that lists apps where a movie or show is available to stream.
• Users can search a title and instantly see streaming, rental, or purchase options along with install prompts.
• The feature highlights the apps a title is available on, but does not display prices or ratings.

Google Play Store is rolling out a handy feature where searching for a movie or TV show will directly point you to the app or service where that title is streaming.

As detailed by Google in a blog post, you will just need to open the Search tab and look up the movie or TV show you want, and Google Play will show a list of apps where you can stream, rent, or buy it.

Google will soon start showing a new "Where to watch" card in Play Store results that lists the apps and services offering that title.

In the example Google shared, searching for "The Last of Us" displays a Where to watch card with the show's teaser image and apps like HBO Max, YouTube TV, and Prime Video. Google Play will also give you the option to install any apps you don't already have.

Search results now include a simple where-to-watch list

Google does not display the rental price, purchase cost, or subscription fee needed to view the title on the Where to watch card, even though that information would be useful. It also omits IMDb ratings and a direct YouTube link, both of which could have been useful additions for viewers.

This feels slightly limited because Google Search already shows where you can stream a title when you search for it, yet this information has not been available in the Play Store. In typical Play Store fashion, though, the feature seems more aimed at improving app discovery.

Nonetheless, it is a feature that could be useful for some users as a simple alternative to services like JustWatch or Letterboxd. Google says the feature is already rolling out, although I have not seen it live on my OnePlus 15 yet. Since Google has officially announced it, it should begin appearing on devices soon.

What you need to know

• Google's new “excessive partial wake locks” metric tracks apps keeping your CPU awake too long in the background.
• Apps that hold over 2 hours of non-exempt wake locks in 24 hours and affecting 5% of user sessions will be flagged for unwanted battery behavior.
• Starting March 1, 2026, flagged apps may get reduced visibility in Google Play and a red warning label highlighting high battery use.

Google is stepping up its fight against battery-draining apps, and the latest changes are a win for Android users who’ve been frustrated by how quickly their phones run out of juice.

The tech giant announced in a blog post that it has officially launched the “excessive partial wake locks” metric after several months of beta testing (via 9to5Google). Wake locks allow apps to keep your device’s CPU awake, even when the screen is off, to run background tasks. While some wake locks are necessary, like playing music or completing app downloads, others can silently drain your battery.

The new system is meant to pinpoint apps that hold more than two cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24-hour period as excessive. If 5% of an app’s user sessions over the last 28 days fall into this category, the app is considered to have bad battery behavior.

For users, this means apps that were quietly draining battery in the background could soon be flagged directly in their Google Play Store listing page.

Play Store public shame

Starting March 1, 2026, apps that exceed this threshold may have reduced visibility on “prominent discovery surfaces,” such as recommendations. More importantly for users, Google will place a red warning label on app listings that reads: “This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity.”

This warning will hopefully make it clear which apps might be the culprits behind unexpected battery drain, so users can take actions like adjusting permissions, restricting background activity, or choosing alternatives.

Google developed the metric in collaboration with Samsung, combining real-world device data and insights into user experience to make the algorithm as accurate as possible.

As time goes on, users should see fewer apps keeping their Android phones awake for no reason, better performance, and less unexpected battery drain. Even before the March deadline, this new metric gives users a warning about apps with high background activity, helping them make better choices.

Hopefully, apps will be encouraged to use less background activity, and users will finally get a better look at what’s happening on their phones. If you’ve ever wondered why your battery drops overnight or when your phone is idle, help is coming soon.

What you need to know

• Google Play Games' next league competition is here, offering Android users a chance to earn more Play Points.
• The Free Fire League is open now through Nov. 23, and 150 million Play Points are up for grabs.
• Gamers get credit for every elimination, which translates to earning more Play Points.

Google introduced league competitions in Google Play Games in September 2025, and its first one, the Subway Surfers League, concluded last month. Now, the company is partnering with the publisher of Free Fire to open up the Free Fire League, available now through Nov. 23. Free Fire has been downloaded over a billion times on Android, and Google is now giving you a chance to earn rewards for playing the popular survival shooter game.

The way leagues work with Google Play Games is simple. By participating and climbing the league leaderboard, gamers will earn Google Play Points. From there, those points can be exchanged for Google Play Credit, or to unlock special items in apps and games. In other words, you can play Free Fire for a limited time to earn credits to pay for your next mobile game on Google Play.

Here's how Google explains the Free Fire League competition: "Compete against other people in the Play community. Play Free Fire, climb the leaderboard, and eliminate the most players in ranked mode to win."

The Free Fire League is open to everyone with a Google Play Games profile in select markets. There are 150 million Play Points up for grabs, and they'll be distributed based on your leaderboard standing. Every elimination in Free Fire counts, whether it's played on Android or PC (with Google Play Games on PC).

You can view the leaderboard here, with the top spot set to earn 5,000 Google Play Points in one go.

What you can do with earned Google Play Points

Android users can start climbing the leaderboard for a shot at Play Points by opening the Play Points home in the Google Play Store. From there, open the Perks tab and find the Free Fire League. When league play ends later this month, gamers will be able to grab their Play Points and exchange them for rewards.

Aside from in-game items and credits, gamers can climb Play Points levels to get extra perks. There are five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Reaching higher tiers adds access to exclusive perks, like weekly prize giveaways and premium support.

Free Fire is free to play with in-app purchases, and you can get started earning eliminations and Google Play Points now.

What you need to know

• Google is said to be testing a new “Search reviews” feature in the Play Store, allowing users to look up specific keywords inside app reviews.
• Instead of sifting through random or generic reviews, users might soon be able to pinpoint feedback on specific topics.
• The feature isn’t live yet, and there’s no confirmed rollout date, but it's safe to assume it might debut gradually in select regions before a broader release.

Google might finally make browsing reviews of Play Store apps a whole lot easier, if a new report is any indication.

As spotted by the folks at Android Authority, a new “Search reviews” string has appeared in the Play Store's latest version (48.7.17-31), suggesting that Google might soon introduce a long-overdue feature allowing users look up specific topics within app reviews.

If this change makes it to a public rollout, you’ll be able to search for exact terms to find user feedback relevant to what you're trying to figure out, instead of scrolling or relying on broad filters like “critical” or “positive."

Code spotted in the Play Store app has also surfaced a new flag called AllReviewsPage__enable_search_bar. Although it’s not live yet, this seems like a practical upgrade to the way users make use of reviews. Rather than sorting through random feedback, you could narrow down on what's important, like performance on your phone or offline features.

Currently, the Play Store only lets you sort reviews by star ratings or a few general categories. This setup often leads to long hours of scrolling through many unrelated posts.

It's a game-changer for decision making

The search feature could save users a lot of time and frustration. For example, if you're looking for the best photo editing apps on the Play Store but couldn't decide which one to download, you could type certain topics like “offline” in the search field to see if others confirm it works without internet.

That said, it remains unclear when or if this capability becomes public. It’s possible this feature could show up first for select users or regions as part of a staged release, which is standard for Play Store updates.

It’s also not clear how advanced the search will be. We don’t know if it will scan reviews in different languages or offer advanced filters. As noted by Android Authority, the interface hasn’t shown up yet, so it’s currently unknown where we'll potentially see the search bar.

While the Play Store’s review system is a great source of actual feedback, some users may find it hard to use in its present state. This might change with a search tool, so users can find useful answers, like whether a game works on their device.

What you need to know

• Play Store users can now buy and send gift cards not just for Play credits but also for major brands like Starbucks, Disney, Adidas, AMC, and Athleta.
• The feature is live in the U.S., UK, and Mexico, accessible under your Play profile via Gift Cards or by searching “gift cards” in the app.
• However, cards can’t be redeemed outside their country of purchase, resold, or used for business or to buy other cards.

Google Play is quietly rolling out a full-fledged digital gift card shop that lets users buy and send not just Google Play credits, but also cards from major brands like Starbucks, Disney, Adidas, AMC, and Athleta.

As spotted by Droid Life, the new feature is now live in select countries, including the U.S., UK, and Mexico. You can find it by tapping your profile icon > Gift Cards, or by simply searching for “gift cards” in the app. From there, users can browse through available brands, select an amount, personalize the message, and send the card straight to someone’s email address or phone number.

According to Google's support page, most cards are delivered within an hour, though in some cases it can take up to 24 hours.

The move makes the Play Store a more flexible digital gifting hub. While users have long been able to buy Google Play balance cards, this new rollout adds third-party brand cards to the mix, meaning you can send a Starbucks or Disney gift card as easily as topping up your Play Store credits.

Strict regional and usage limits apply

However, the feature comes with clear boundaries. For one, gift cards can’t be used across countries. So, a U.S.-bought card, for instance, won’t work if you try to redeem it in another region. Likewise, Google strictly prohibits reselling, trading, or converting gift cards to cash.

Also, these cards can’t be used to buy other gift cards or for business purposes. These limitations are in place to prevent misuse and fraud.

When it comes to buying, Google outlines some key details on its official support page. Digital gift cards can be purchased directly from the Play Store, but users can’t use their existing Play balance or Play Points to pay for them, and buying them doesn’t earn you extra Play Points either.

Each country also has its own purchase limit of around $250 per day in the U.S., £250 in the U.K., and roughly MXN $5,000 in Mexico. If you receive a digital card, you can redeem it by following the link sent to you via email or SMS. Cards from outside Google Play (such as Starbucks or Adidas) must be redeemed according to each brand’s specific instructions.

Google is also reminding users to stay alert to gift card scams, a common problem in which bad actors pose as legitimate companies or individuals and request payment via gift cards.

The company stresses one simple rule: if someone asks you to pay them with a Google Play gift card, it’s a scam. Google doesn’t ask for gift cards as payment for any product or service, and users are advised never to share their redemption codes with anyone.

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out age verification on the Play Store, requiring users to prove they're 18+.
• Users can verify their age using ID, selfie, credit card, or a third-party service.
• Some users are concerned about data privacy and reports of being locked out after verification.

Google has recently been using AI to ask users for age verification across several of its services, and now the company has reportedly started rolling out the age verification tool for the Google Play Store, requiring users to prove that they're 18 or older.

Just a couple of months after YouTube began asking users to verify their age, it appears Google is now implementing the same for the Play Store. As spotted by Artem Russakovskii on X, Google has started rolling out age verification checks for the Play Store.

According to Russakovskii, Google Play won't let you download "many apps" until you verify your age. To do so, Google is offering multiple methods, including uploading an ID, taking a selfie, using a credit card, or verifying through a third-party service called verifymy.io.

It appears that the rollout has just begun and is still expanding to users. It's unclear where the checks will be enforced first, but it appears the feature will soon arrive in the U.S. You can manually verify your age using a provided link without waiting for Google to prompt you. However, not all verification methods are available in every region.

You might soon need to prove you're 18 on Play Store

As for why Google is implementing these checks, it's largely to comply with newly passed regulations in several U.S. states, including Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, that require app stores to verify users' ages before allowing them to download age-sensitive apps. Similar regulations are also set to come into effect in Texas and California.

While the move aims to protect minors from inappropriate content, many users on Reddit and X have expressed concerns about sharing their personal data with Google and the potential for leaks or misuse. There have also been reports of some users being locked out of Google Search for failing the verification check, raising further privacy worries.

What you need to know

• Generative AI will redefine how apps work together on smartphones.
• Strategic partnerships between AI platforms and service providers will emerge over the next five years.
• Businesses leveraging AI effectively will thrive while resisting companies face challenges.

As tech companies continue to experiment with generative AI, they will also explore additional ways to integrate it into their future devices. This means that AI will become the primary feature on a phone, pulling information from apps to give users a more intuitive and personalized experience.

Much like how you can ask Gemini to summarize the recent emails from your manager about the 'Q4 marketing campaign' and add a task to your to-do list to draft a follow-up presentation for next week, Gemini will pretty much accomplish these tasks without much of your intervention. But this is still Gemini interacting with Google's apps. Now imagine if it could do the same with the rest of the apps on your phone?

In the future, AI will essentially function as the brain of your phone, with apps serving as its neurons, all working together to help you accomplish tasks. For instance, you could say, "Hey Google, could you plan my dinner for tonight, send me a shopping list of ingredients, and then book an Uber for 5 pm so I can get supplies right after my Pilates class?" and then simply observe as everything falls into place.

IDC experts told Android Central in an exclusive report that the existing App ecosystem will be forced to adapt. But if these models do change, how will AI determine which specific app to use for a given task? For example, if apps like Expedia or Airbnb are not installed, will the AI prioritize an app based on user history, performance, or a paid partnership? Here's what could likely happen.

"Strategic partnerships between service providers, phone makers, and AI platforms are likely to be formed, and we can expect this kind of integration to become more common over the next five years as AI matures and becomes ubiquitous across devices," IDC notes.

App developers and companies may not like the idea of losing autonomy over their products. "Many will resist handing over control to AI platforms, fearing the loss of direct engagement and brand identity, and will try to maintain their own ecosystems and monetization strategies over the next few years," the firm added.

Ultimately, businesses that effectively use AI will thrive because people these days want things to happen quickly and on the go. And those who resist this change might be caught in an uphill battle. This switch in the overall business model could also let AI act as a filter, and could potentially change the need for users to interact with these apps directly.

What you need to know

• Pixel 10 users are facing widespread app crashes after the October 2025 update.
• Apps freeze, get stuck on splash screens, or show "not responding" errors even after basic troubleshooting.
• The crash issue seems tied to conflicts between Google Play Services and the October Android update.
• Some users fixed it by uninstalling updates for Play Services and Play Store after the OS update.

Over the weekend, several Pixel 10 users began reporting a sudden wave of app crashes, with many claiming that apps on their phones are freezing or shutting down unexpectedly without any clear reason.

While the Android 16 experience on the Pixel 10 series has been relatively stable compared to previous Pixel launches, which were often plagued by early software bugs, a few issues have still surfaced.

Users initially reported display-related problems that were fixed with the September update, but following the October 2025 patch, a new issue has emerged where apps are crashing out of nowhere.

Several users on Reddit (via Android Police) report that after installing the October update, apps on their Pixel 10 devices have started to "crash randomly or get stuck at the splash screen." The issue appears to affect most apps, with users seeing the "[App] isn't responding" dialog box. Common fixes such as reinstalling the app or clearing the cache don't seem to resolve the issue.

Some users say that rebooting the device temporarily fixes the problem, but the crashes return after a few minutes. So far, the issue has only been widely reported on the Pixel 10 lineup, though a few Pixel 9 users have also experienced similar behavior. Other non-Pixel Android devices appear to be unaffected.

There may be a temporary fix in sight

A number of reports suggest that the issue might stem from Google Play services, which could be conflicting with either the October or the earlier September OS builds. One Reddit user mentioned that uninstalling and reinstalling updates for Google Play services and the Play Store temporarily resolves the issue, but others say the fix only lasts briefly before the crashes return.

It's worth noting that uninstalling Play Services also signs you out of your Google account and could cause app issues, so proceed with caution. If your phone hasn't been affected yet, it may be best to avoid updating Play Services for now.

Google has not yet acknowledged the issue, but with more reports pouring in every minute, it seems likely that a hotfix or patch will arrive soon. For now, if you haven't installed the October update on your Pixel 10 yet, it's best to hold off until Google issues a fix or provides an official statement.

What you need to know

• Google’s new redesign turns the Play Store from a plain app shop into a tailored entertainment and gaming hub that serves up what you actually care about.
• The Apps tab now displays entertainment corners, seasonal spotlights, and curated content like trending shows, webcomics, and mobile dramas (rolling out globally after tests in India and Japan).
• With Guided Search, you can type your goal — like “find a home” or “deck-building games” — and Play’s AI organizes the best options for you.
• A single gamer profile now tracks stats and achievements across devices, and Gen AI Avatars let you show off your personality.

Google Play is getting a redesign built around personalization, and it’s more than just a fresh coat of paint.

Google announced today that the app store is shifting from a basic download hub to something closer to a personal entertainment and gaming companion, one that knows what you’re into and serves it up at the right moment.

First up, the Apps tab isn’t just apps anymore. It’s now a place to discover entertainment and seasonal content without digging. Google has been testing this idea — like India’s Cricket Hub and Japan’s Comics space — and is rolling it out globally.

The Play Store in Korea now has a dedicated entertainment corner loaded with mobile-friendly dramas, movies, and TV shows, while U.S. users can browse trending shows, webcomics, and bite-sized dramas right from the Apps tab.\

Seasonal spotlights will pop up in an immersive format tailored to your tastes. And if you’re tired of guessing keywords, Guided Search lets you type what you’re after (“find a home” or “deck-building games”), and Play’s AI will do the sorting for you.

Gaming gets unified

Gaming also got a big overhaul. Google Play Games is now a one-stop shop: unified gamer profiles track your stats and achievements across devices, and a Gen AI Avatar lets you show off your style.

Play Points rewards are now woven across mobile and PC, and Google is kicking off Play Games Leagues on October 10 with Subway Surfers. You can compete for rewards and bragging rights until October 23.

This comes a few days after Google announced that it's rolling out new prizes and items for Play Points rewards in the UK.

The new Sidekick overlay, powered by Gemini Live, gives in-game tips without making you alt-tab for a walkthrough. DeepMind has been training Sidekick to actually understand game context, and select players will get early access in the coming months.

PC gamers aren’t left out either, as Google Play Games on PC is out of beta with a catalog of more than 200,000 titles, including Mecha Break, Subnautica, and soon, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor.

Finally, the brand-new You tab ties it all together, including your subscriptions, rewards, audiobook picks, and in-progress content in one feed. The rollout starts this week in select Play Points markets, with more countries coming October 1.

San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing, and Google is back with another fun experience for attendees. Last year, the company had a whole Ferris wheel setup, but this time around, the experience is much more immersive, thanks to a collaboration with Monopoly Go! and Marvel's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," which hits theaters on July 25.

Visitors will be able to take their first steps into the Google Play Rewards Lab, with unique experiences related to each of the members of the Fantastic Four. However, Google also has some rewards for members who aren't able to experience the Rewards Lab in person.

Taking your first steps

The Google Play Rewards Lab was all about letting you experience what it's like to be a member of the Fantastic Four. You step onto a conveyor belt that leads you into each of the four pods with four very different experiences.

The first experience was inside the Stretch pod, after Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic. Here, you get to play a game where you try to catch Play Store rewards points utilizing touch pads to control Mister Fantastic's stretched arms. The goal is to score a certain number of points within a given time.

The second pod is perhaps my favorite, and it's the Force Field pod. Here, you can hone your inner Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman, who is able to create and manipulate force fields.

This pod won't let you turn invisible, but it will let you manipulate a display of cascading lights with your hands. The lights change colors and move in response to your hands, allowing you to create a variety of figures and images.

The third pod is the Strength pod, which is probably my second favorite area. Here, you can have your own Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, moment and clobber the floor with your feet. You can team up with a few other people to stomp on the digital display on the floor from four different corners of the room, which will crumble beneath your feet to reveal a rather cool (and somewhat disorienting) display.

There are several levels to complete, which means smashing through a few surfaces. Once you smash through enough of the floor, you'll be rewarded with a special honor for saving the day.

Finally, the last pod was the Fire pod for the fiery Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch. Here, you can "flame on" and become the Human Torch by shooting a video of yourself flying in the air. Your video will be inserted into a clip from the new film, which you can then preview and even send to yourself to share with your friends or on social media.

You can see my video below:

You can stop by the Rewards Lab outside the San Diego Convention Center starting July 24, and you'll even get prioritized entry and other rewards if you're a Google Play Points member.

Perks for everyone

If you're unable to attend San Diego Comic-Con for the full experience, don't worry, because Google is offering everyone a chance to get in on some rewards. Thanks to the collaboration with Monopoly Go!, players can grab a limited-edition Fantastic Four in-game rewards in the form of an exclusive The Thing Tea Emoji for U.S. players. This can be added to their showrooms, and users can also use it to react to other players.

Furthermore, Google is letting Play Points members redeem their points for other exclusives, such as a Fantastic Four Fan Pack, an enamel The Thing pin, a signed comic book, and even a Citizen watch.

Google's Four Days of Fantastic Rewards is available from July 24 to 27, while the exclusive in-game Monopoly Go! reward will be available until August 4, which you can redeem over on the Play Store.

What you need to know

• Google I/O 2025 held a spotlight on the Play Store, detailing how the company will increase user engagement.
• The Play Store will soon receive "topic browse pages," which lets users interact with apps in ways that encompass multiple aspects of the Store.
• Google is also working on streamlining the subscription cafe, making it easier for users to purchase subscriptions alongside its add-ons.

Google I/O 2025 has been a flurry of announcements, but here's another concerning how users can grow on Play.

At its core, the Google Play Store is developing a new ways to improve engagement for developers and users. According to its press release, the company says it the Play Store will soon receive "topic browse pages." The post claims this feature will deliver "timely, relevant, and visually engaging content on specific topics." These browsing pages will reportedly incorporate multiple aspects of the store, like App Home and store listings, among others.

We'll likely understand more of it once it arrives, which is slated for this month (May) in the U.S. Google says once its browse pages rollout, users can find them first for Media & Entertainment content.

Google expects to expand its coverage to more types of apps and content "later this year."

Play Store, Users, and Devs

Engagement updates continue with Google's reported expansion of "Where to Watch." The post says users in Korea, Indonesia, the U.K., and Mexico will soon see it on the Play Store. In July, Google says more developers will have the ability to display a hero content carousel and even include YouTube videos in their store listings.

Rounding out the engagement updates is Google's "audio samples" on the Apps Home. Google says this should give users an (audible) way to experience what developers are offering first before diving in further. This will debut first for Health & Wellness content on the Play Store in the U.S. before expanding to other areas.

More for Developers

App development takes time, but Google looks to relieve the stress behind the management side with more actionable insights for devs. Specifically, Google says it will soon bring overview pages for the Grow and Monetize statistics for developers and their apps. Moreover, the company is working on bringing the ability for devs to "fully-halt" the rollout of an app's version if reports show it's causing more harm than good.

Another update makes it easier to upload, edit, and view app assets in the Play Store via the Asset Library. Google says developers can drag their content into their listings straight from Drive. It's update will even clue devs into how attractive their assets might be to users, which can feed into app engagement.

Google's also stepping up its security for developers creating apps. This concerns developers staying ahead of potential signs of abuse, protecting their app's "sensitive" actions, like transfers or data access.

Play Store Revenue

Subscriptions concern us all — developers and end-users alike. Google states it's looking to "streamline" the subscription process to build engagement. To get this done, the post says the Play Store will introduce "multi-product checkout for subscriptions." In short, developers can sell a subscription and its add-ons under one "aligned payment schedule." For users, they will see one price upon purchase that incorporates the subscription and its add-ons.

Developers will gain increased control over how users can upgrade their subscription, manage add-ons, or downgrade.

Moreover, subscribers will see the benefits they will receive by purchasing what a developer (app) is offering more clearly.

Google's focus on payments doesn't end there, as the post details another update. During a device's initial setup, Google says it will look to prompt users about setting up payment methods and verification. AI isn't taking a backseat on this, as the post highlights Google's models will be present to help developers "optimize" in-app transactions.

What you need to know

• Google Play services v25.13 introduces updates to improve battery life and connectivity across various Android devices, including Android Auto, PCs, phones, TVs, and Wear OS devices.
• As part of the rollout, Google Wallet now allows users to add nicknames to their passes.
• The other Android System Intelligence v.23 update includes the addition of logging for Adaptive Sound and code optimization for Smart Dictation.

Google System updates usually enhance Android devices with new features, security improvements, and performance optimizations. These usually come via Play Store and Play Services, and the search giant has shared this month's release notes, giving us what to expect.

In a short changelog of the release notes this week first up in the list is the system management update through Google Play services v25.13, which includes updates to system management services to improve battery life and device connectivity across Android devices, including Android Auto-enabled devices, PCs, phones, TV, and Wear OS devices.

Google Wallet for Android phones is also getting a nifty new feature where users will now be able to add nicknames for their passes in the wallet.

Google Play Store has an "Ask Play" feature that gives answers about a specific app when asked within the app page. It usually gives AI-generated responses, and with the latest v45.7 version rollout this week, answers can be seen with videos when any question is raised via the aforementioned feature.

The other Android System Intelligence v.23 update includes the addition of logging for Adaptive Sound and code optimization for Smart Dictation. Also, every two weeks, "Google Maps (in cars with Google built-in) provides bug fixes and improvements that help you discover new places, navigate to them, and more."

Aside from these new inclusions, improvements to Play Protect can also be expected with the latest release. Google Play Protect is also expanding its protection to more "malicious applications that try to impersonate financial apps, " the company recently announced as an attempt to create a safer Android ecosystem.

Similarly, Google Play Store will also be adding verified badges starting with specific VPN apps to allow users to utilize safer VPN services, and the company intends to expand it to app categories shortly as well.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• Google is launching an earn-back program for native PC games, offering up to 15% additional revenue.
• The company is also introducing new developer tools to enhance gameplay across multiple devices.
• Google Play Games on PC will be available on more devices, including AMD laptops, and desktops.

Google has announced that it’s expanding support for native PC games with a new earn-back program. With the Game Developers Conference (GDC) underway, the search giant has also announced that it is bringing users more games and more ways to play games across devices.

At GDC, the company will be showcasing all games coming to Google Play, and additionally, the new developer tools, which are claimed to improve gameplay across the Android ecosystem. Alongside the earn-back program, Google Play Games on PC will also be generally available this year with major upgrades.

Google Play connects over two billion monthly active players worldwide. The new tools will help them engage these players across a wide range of devices, further driving engagement and revenue. Google is also hoping that since the gaming experiences are more immersive on PC, the company is trying to make bigger investments in the PC gaming platform.

After announcing Google Play Games on PC, which lets users play mobile games on PC, the search giant is expanding this support to native PC games. This means users will be able to enjoy native PC games on their Android phones.

Google now has a PC program, which includes a dedicated SDK for native PC games on Google Play Games that additionally provides powerful tools, including in-app purchase integration and advanced security protection.

The expansion also includes distribution through Play Console. It allows developers to manage their mobile and PC game builds in one place. It can further help simplify the process of packaging PC versions, configuring releases, and managing store listings. The earn-back program, as mentioned, will bring PC games to Google Play Games on PC, further unlocking up to 15% additional earnings.

Furthermore, Google is making all mobile games available on PC by default, and they can be opted out at any point. On the store, games will have a playability badge, which indicates the games’ compatibility with PC. Right beside the install button, users will also see “optimized” and “playable” options, which mean they offer a great gaming experience, and that games meet the minimum requirements to play well on PC, respectively. Google also assures that many games are already playable right out of the box.

The PC experience is also getting major upgrades, as gamers can now fully enjoy the Google Play Games on PC catalog on more devices, like AMD laptops and desktops. Google is also partnering with PC OEMs to make Google Play Games more accessible right from the start menu. Users will also be gaining new features like custom controls and a huge sidebar that allows quick adjustments. Additionally, multi-account and multi-instance support is also rolling out this month.

The Play Points experience is also promised to be more seamless on PC, as now they are easier to track and rewarding, including up to 10x points boosters on Google Play Games. It allows players to earn and redeem points for in-game purchases and discounts.

Google asserts that at GDC, users will be able to enjoy complete gaming experiences on the best Android gaming devices and recommends that they meet at Moscone Center West Hall.

• Gaming PC deals: Dell | Walmart | Lenovo | Best Buy | HP | Amazon

What you need to know

• The Apple TV app is officially available on Android as of now, so Android users no longer have to use a browser to stream Apple TV Plus content.
• Apple TV on Android uses Google Play Billing, so users can subscribe via the Google Play Store without needing an Apple device. This change also applies to the Android TV or Google TV apps.
• The Apple TV app for Android is for accessing Apple TV Plus or MLS Season Pass; it can't be used to access purchased iTunes content.

Over five years after launching the Apple TV Plus streaming service, the company is finally bringing the Apple TV app to Android. Starting today, Feb. 12, users can download the Apple TV app from the Google Play Store and access the Apple TV Plus and MLS Season Pass subscription offerings. The move comes after Apple previously made an Apple TV app for the Android TV and Google TV platforms back in 2021.

The new Apple TV app will run on devices with Android 10 or newer installed, and that includes a mix of phones, tablets, and foldables. Unlike the Apple TV app on Apple devices, the Apple TV app for Android will not offer certain features, like access to iTunes content or Apple TV channels. Instead, this app focuses on Apple's streaming services.

The Android version of the app is built to be cross-platform, with features like "Continue Watching." You can start a show or movie on one device and pick up right where you left off on another, regardless of whether that's an Apple or Android device. Additionally, users can plan out their streaming with a "Watchlist," and can download Apple TV Plus content to their Android device for offline watching.

Notably, Apple is now integrating with Google Play Billing. This means that Android users can sign up for Apple TV Plus on an Apple device or on the web, but they can also do so through the Google Play Store directly in the Android app. This is a first for Apple, as the Apple TV app for Android/Google TV did not support signing up for the streaming service in the app — until now.

Apple says the app is designed for Android, bringing a "familiar and intuitive interface," but there are some missing features that longtime Android users might miss. For example, Google Cast isn't available at launch, so you can't cast a show from the Apple TV app on your Android phone to your Google TV, Nest, or Chromecast device. The company plans to build and improve the Apple TV app for Android over time, and Google Cast is the kind of feature that could be added in the future.

The two streaming services available on the Apple TV app for Android are Apple TV Plus (which includes Friday Night Baseball) and MLS Season Pass. Apple TV Plus costs $9.99 per month, and includes hit shows like Severance and Ted Lasso, as well as Friday Night Baseball — which airs two MLB games weekly during the regular season with no regional blackouts. There's also MLS Season Pass, the all-access streaming service for Major League Soccer, which costs $14.99 per month or $99 for the entire season.

Android users can download the Apple TV app from the Google Play Store starting now. This was previously rumored back in October, and of course, the Apple Music app for Android has been around for about a decade.

You can try Apple TV Plus for free for seven days.

What you need to know

• Google Play dropped its 2024 picks, celebrating the best in apps, games, books, and multi-device options.
• Partiful won Best App for reinventing event planning, with its easy-to-use "Party Genie" tool for quick invite creation.
• AFK Journey claimed Best Game with its epic fantasy world, strategy-heavy battles, and jaw-dropping visuals.
• Max nailed Best Multi-Device App, letting you pick up your shows exactly where you left off, no matter the device.

Google Play today revealed its annual picks for the best apps and games of 2024. These top-tier choices showcase the ultimate mobile experiences, covering everything from standout apps and games to must-read books and the best multi-device options.

Google highlights how this year’s picks celebrate the constant innovation on the Play Store, thanks to developers for breaking boundaries and making sure you can find your apps, enjoy your games, and snag rewards without breaking a sweat.

Partiful scooped up Best App of the year for completely rethinking event planning. With its “Party Genie” tool, creating invites and sharing them with just a link is almost too easy.

On the gaming side, AFK Journey took the crown for Best Game, pulling players in with its epic fantasy vibes, strategic battles, and massive character lineup. Add in stunning visuals and sprawling landscapes, and it’s clear why it left the competition in the dust.

Max, one of our favorite streaming platforms, took home the prize for Best Multi-Device App. Its slick syncing across devices—letting you pick up your binge right where you left off—made it a no-brainer for the win, according to Google’s blog.

Clash of Clans also snagged Best Multi-Device Game of the Year, and it’s no surprise. With its smooth expansion to PCs and Chromebooks, this fan-favorite mobile game now runs across phones, tablets, and desktops.

Here’s the complete list of Google Play’s 2024 winners across all the categories:

Best apps of 2024

• Best for Fun: Mila by Camilla Lorentzen
• Best for Personal Growth: UpStudy - Camera Math Solver
• Best Everyday Essential: MacroFactor - Macro Tracker
• Best Hidden Gem: Timeleft
• Best for Watches: Baby Daybook - Newborn Tracker
• Best for Large Screens: Infinite Painter
• Best for Google TV: Peacock TV: Stream TV & Movies
• Best for Cars: PBS KIDS Video

Best games of 2024

• Best Multiplayer: Squad Busters
• Best Pick Up & Play: Eggy Party
• Best Indie: Yes, Your Grace
• Best Story: Solo Leveling: Arise
• Best Ongoing: Honkai: Star Rail
• Best for Families: Tab Time World
• Best on Play Pass: Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance
• Best for Google Play Games on PC: Cookie Run: Tower of Adventures

2024 books picks

• Favorite fantasy: “Dragon Rider” by Taran Matharu (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite thriller: “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker (ebook,audiobook)
• Favorite romance: “House of Flame and Shadow’ by Sarah J Maas (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite fiction: “All Fours” by Miranda July (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite memoir: “Knife” by Salman Rushdie (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite horror: “The Eyes are the Best Part” by Monika Kim (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite graphic novel: “Homebody” by Theo Parish (ebook | audiobook)
• Favorite cozy manga: “Breakfast with My Two-Tailed Cat” by Ai Shimizu (ebook)
• Favorite business book: “Teams: Getting Things Done with Others” by David Allen and Edward Lamont (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite personal development: “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg (ebook, audiobook)
• Favorite historical fiction: “James” by Percival Everett (ebook, audiobook)

A big part of the Android phone experience is downloading and using apps. You can visit the Google Play Store and search for an app for just about anything, from mindless or intense games to news, utilities, streaming, and more. Apps are available from major publishers as well as smaller independent companies and individuals. It’s crucial to keep apps updated at all times.

App updates aren’t just for when there’s a new version or new features added. They are sometimes released to fix bugs or critical security vulnerabilities. That’s why it’s important to know when an app update has been released and download it from the Google Play Store as soon as you can. This protects your device as well as your personal, sensitive information. Thankfully, it’s simple to update apps, both manually on the fly and automatically.

How to update Android apps manually

If you choose to review app updates and update them manually, you can do this in a few simple steps.

1. Open the Google Play app store.

2. Select your Profile icon at the top, right.

3. Select Manage apps & device.

4. Select Manage.

4. Select the app you want to update. It should be labeled with “Update available” if there is one.

5. Select the Update button in the top, right menu.

How to update Android apps automatically

It’s a good idea to set your smartphone to update apps automatically once updates are available. Keep in mind that can drain your battery more quickly. It also uses data so you might want to set the feature to work only when you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

1. Open the Google Play app store.

2. Select your Profile icon at the top, right.

3. Select Settings.

4. Select Network Preferences to get the drop-down menu.

5. Select Auto-update apps.

6. Choose between the option of having your apps update using both Wi-Fi or mobile data or only with Wi-Fi. A third option allows you to update with a limited amount of mobile data, intelligently choosing a few of your most important apps and only using limited mobile data to get them updated.

7. To change this setting, follow steps 1-4 and select Don’t auto-update apps.

How to update single Android apps automatically

You can also choose to set automatic updates for only specific apps, ideal for ones that you know often release critical security updates, or the ones you most often use.

1. Open the Google Play app store.

2. Select your Profile icon at the top, right.

3. Select Manage apps & device.

4. Select Manage.

5. Find the app you want from the list to set for automatic updates and select it to open the Details page.

6. Select More, the three vertical dots.

7. Select Enable auto update.

8. To change this setting, follow steps 1-5 and tap Enable auto update to uncheck it.

Keep your apps up to date

As noted, it’s important to update apps as soon as an update is made available. This is not just to enjoy the latest and greatest features and the best experience, but to download important bug fixes and security patches, and to address security-related vulnerabilities. While an app you barely use might seem relatively innocuous, all it takes is one vulnerability for a hacker to tap into your phone. From there, they can wreak havoc and access your personal data.

Along with keeping all the best Android apps you have on your phone updated, you should also periodically take stock of the apps on your phone. If there are ones that are no longer supported or you realize you don’t use, uninstall them. You can always reinstall an app later if you decide you want it again. This also has the benefit of freeing up precious storage space on your device.

What you need to know

• A new report details that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6 have not received any new Play Systems updates since launch.
• The devices launched with the April 2024 patch; however, the foldables have not received any new ones nor are any available for manual download.
• Google Play System updates can bolster Play Protect and upgrade Android's security and privacy.

A curious discovery shows that Samsung's 2024 foldables are uncharacteristically stuck living in the past software-wise.

Samsung has seemingly forgotten the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Fold 6, and the monthly Google Play System updates. As highlighted by SamMobile, the devices have not received an updated version of Google's Play System software since they were released. The foldable phones are seemingly stuck rocking the April 2024 version of Play Systems and this isn't a funny user error.

The publication notes that Samsung's monthly security updates and Google's Play Systems patches are not one. Users can attempt to manually update the software by heading into Settings > About phone > Software information > Google Play Systems update. However, there's nothing there. For unknown reasons, Samsung hasn't pushed the availability of such a patch to the Flip 6 or the Fold 6.

The Play System updates ensure that the "core elements" of Android are running in ship shape. This also affects the performance of the Play Store.

Further digging shows that Samsung's 2024 foldables are the only devices left out of the loop. The company's past-gen devices and the Galaxy S24 have been consistently updated with the latest Play Systems software

The folks at Android Police chimed in, theorizing that the AI capabilities and software may be the culprit. There's a chance that more "optimization" is required as Samsung polishes things alongside Galaxy AI. While probably, it's alarming that the company hasn't pushed anything, leaving its 2024 foldables with six-month-old software.

Funnily enough, Samsung left a few devices in a bygone software past late in 2023. It was reported last December that the Galaxy S23 series, Fold 5, and the Galaxy A33 were all rocking a July 2023 version of Google Play Systems. Strangely, users attempting to update manually were being hit with a "your device is up to date" message when they weren't. Another instance saw an "updates are temporarily unavailable" message.

It was suggested that such issues would solve themselves automatically. We know Samsung has been toiling away at One UI 6.1.1 (before its rollout) and One UI 7 (Android 15). So, things will likely be resolved for the Flip 6 and Fold 6 in due time — we just have to wait.

Google's Play Systems updates can bring important security and privacy fixes. In June, the update that rolled out improved such aspects of Android and included support for new "Digital Wallets & Payment" processes. The update lets users pair a USB-C cable with Wi-Fi for faster data transfers between devices, as well.

Play Protect played a role as Google upgraded its ability to better safeguard users against malicious application threats.

What you need to know

• Launched in 2017, the Google Play Security Program will no longer be functional after August 31.
• However, researchers can still submit security reports, which will be addressed until September 30.
• Google cites a "decrease in actionable vulnerabilities reported" as the reason for its discontinuation.

Updated 4:00pm ET with new comments from Google.

After seven successful years, Google’s Play Security Reward Program is ending on August 31. The company recently let developers know about the decision via email.

The program paid developers who found and disclosed vulnerabilities in Android apps, explained Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority. The program, which was fairly unique, has "achieved its goals," a Google spokesman told Android Authority.

"We greatly appreciate the security research community that helps keep Android users safe. The Google Play Security Reward Program (GPSRP) was the first program of its type to pay a bonus reward in addition to any applicable developer vulnerability reward programs. Launched to encourage app developers to establish their own security programs, GPSRP has achieved its goal after 7 years."

For the uninitiated, Google kicked off the program in 2017 to encourage developers and security researchers to find vulnerabilities in Google’s websites, apps, Chrome and Chrome OS, and Pixel devices. Researchers who spotted and reported issues were rewarded with cash from Google Play.

Though it did boost Android and Google Play security, the system is no longer necessary, Google told us. "As a result of our advancements in Android security features and OS hardening, we’ve seen fewer actionable vulnerabilities reported to the GPSRP program by the research community. Due to this decrease in actionable vulnerabilities reported, we are winding down the program."

"We encourage researchers to work directly with application developers should they discover potential security vulnerabilities," he added.

As mentioned, the program will end on August 31; however, reports submitted before that period will be triaged by September 15, and final reward decisions are expected to be made before September 30. After that, the program will be "officially discontinued," the Android security team notes in the email.

The GPSRP was an extra step to gather vulnerability data and create automated checks. These checks would be applied to all Android apps on the Play Store to check for similar vulnerabilities and make the app store safer, even though Google already has its own set of measures to keep the Play Store safe for those many apps. Either way, it is about to end—for better or worse.

If there’s one thing I look forward to every year, it’s attending San Diego Comic-Con. Last year’s event was a bit of a drag due to the effects of the Writer's Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, but this year, Comic-Con was back in full force, and both Google and Samsung had separate experiences to show off new mobile games and the latest smartphones.

I decided to take a break from wandering the exhibit floor and attending panels for content like Alien: Rogue Incursion and “Hazbin Hotel” to check out what Google and Samsung had to offer and to see if I could win any cool swag.

Google took me to new heights 

Google’s experience was all about the Play Store, which has been undergoing some interesting changes. There was a fairly long line and a huge Ferris wheel outside the convention center. The experience was to promote the Marvel Contest of Champions game, which is available now on the Play Store. While waiting in line, attendees could play the game at stations set up with Android phones, choosing a character to fight and hopefully win against multiple characters on a quest map.

After that, you wait in line a bit longer to take photos with cardboard cutouts of some Marvel characters before hopping onto the Ferris wheel. With the hot San Diego sun beaming over me, I was, fortunately, able to enter the much faster VIP line with a Hero Pass, available to Play Points users with Silver status or higher.

I admit this was my first time on a Ferris wheel, so I was quite nervous. However, it wasn’t particularly big, and it still gave me some good views of the convention. It didn’t take me long to get comfortable (although I’m sure I would still get nervous on a bigger Ferris wheel). While riding the wheel, the emcee would call out the names of characters that matched the individual gondolas, indicating which riders would win special prizes after the ride was over.

Stepping off the Ferris wheel, I was handed a cool pin and directed to the exit on the right. To the left, however, was the area where you could pick up prizes if your gondola was chosen. Among the prizes are sunglasses, a water bottle, a bag, and a hat. I didn’t get a prize, but hey, maybe next time.

Galaxies and giveaways

Samsung’s Comic-Con experience wasn’t as exciting, but it sure was flashy and also focused on a mobile game with the opportunity to win prizes. Game of Thrones: Legends is a puzzle RPG that lets you fight characters by matching jewels and using special character attacks. If you’re into puzzle games and like Game of Thrones, this might be for you.

The space was appropriately decorated like a scene out of “Game of Thrones,” including a chair where you could sit and have your photo taken. Samsung had tables where you could sit and play the game using various devices, including foldable phones like what I assume was the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

After playing the game a bit and waiting in line, I filled out a form asking about Android phones, Galaxy devices, and the latest Galaxy AI features. Samsung seemed to be gauging interest in its new phones and features, with one final question inquiring about price (the new Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 had their prices increased by $100).

After signing up on a Galaxy tablet, I tried my hand at a claw machine where I could win Funko Pop figurines. I also did not get a prize, but an emcee was also picking people in line to answer questions about Samsung devices (“What are the latest Samsung devices called?”), offering more chances to win prizes.

Google definitely had the flashier setup, given that it had a whole Ferris wheel set up in front of the San Diego Convention Center that even lit up at night. Yet, the experience wasn’t too focused on promoting Google products like Pixel devices or features—it was about the game and Play Points.

This was an interesting contrast to Samsung’s experience, which was a bit out of the way from the main Comic-Con area. And while Samsung’s experience was technically about Game of Thrones, the questionnaire and setup were heavily focused on boosting awareness of Samsung’s devices and features, which makes sense given the company just launched a slew of new devices.

Nonetheless, it was interesting to see both companies with a presence at Comic-Con, and I’m excited to see what they do at next year’s event.

What you need to know

• New features on Google Search, Gemini, YouTube, and other Google services will immerse users in the Olympic action, no matter where they are.
• Google Maps and Waze will offer real-time traffic updates and disruptions, making it easier to navigate Paris during the Games.
• Search will show real-time schedules, results, medal counts, highlights, recaps, top news, and social media updates, adjusted to your time zone and location.
• Gemini AI will help fans understand lesser-known sports, get athlete information, and plan watch parties.

After teaming up with NBCUniversal for the Olympic Games in Paris, Google is bringing its AI smarts to the 2024 Olympics, introducing fresh ways for fans to connect with the action.

Google recently partnered with Team USA as the "Official Search AI Partner," which is a huge deal. The tech giant is using its AI to highlight Team USA athletes and boost NBCUniversal's coverage of the Olympic Games, which start on July 26.

In a blog post, Marvin Chow, Google's VP of Marketing, announced new features on Search, Gemini, YouTube, and other platforms that are built to immerse you in the action regardless of your location.

Google Maps and Waze are stepping up to help everyone get around Paris during the event. Both platforms will provide real-time updates on traffic restrictions and road closures. Waze will even alert you about road disruptions, so you can share the information and plan your trip easily.

Additionally, Maps' new transit features make travel easy. You'll be able to compare buses, trains, and subways, as well as see real-time disruptions, get fare estimates, and track your journey. Plus, you can find Olympic shuttle information all in one place.

On Google Search, you can check real-time schedules, results, medal counts, highlights, and daily recaps for your favorite country, sport, athlete, or the whole Games. It also features top news and social media buzz. Search adjusts schedules to your time zone and shows content relevant to your location.

Google's Gemini AI also wants to be your go-to for all things Olympics. It can break down lesser-known sports, give you the scoop on athletes, and suggest fun watch party ideas.

NBCUniversal’s recent partnership with Google aims to spotlight the latter's AI features throughout the event. Thanks to Maps, you'll see amazing 3D visuals of places like the Palace of Versailles and Stade Roland Garros. These realistic views will include information about the events at each spot.

YouTube is also partnering with broadcasters like NBCUniversal, Eurosport, Claro, CazéTV, and the IOC to offer a vast library of Olympic content and highlights. In some regions, you can watch live events, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, on these YouTube channels.

YouTube's new multiview feature lets you watch up to four events at once, available in select regions. Claro Sports in Latin America and CazéTV in Brazil will offer it, and US YouTube TV subscribers can use it during NBCUniversal's Olympic coverage, along with medal count tracking.

You can also get in on the Olympic action with Google TV's dedicated hub, which allows you to catch live events, highlights, and behind-the-scenes stories all in one spot. The Olympics hub will appear at the top of your "For you" tab from July 26 to August 11.

On the Play Store, you can find official apps to catch live action, learn some French, and find tons of Olympic-themed apps, games, and books.

What you need to know

• Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members can win new Pixel devices, Razer gaming gear, and more through super weekly prizes as part of a new update to the Google Play Points program.
• Members in the U.S., UK, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan can check the Play Points perks tab weekly for new rewards.
• The Google Play Store also introduces curated "collections," enhanced Play Pass gaming features, and a new comics section with free chapter previews in Japan.

Google announced an upgrade to its Google Play Points program, rolling out new rewards and exclusive perks to celebrate its growing community, starting Wednesday (July 24).

To spice up its Play Points rewards program, the search giant is rolling out "super weekly prizes" for Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tier members. These rewards include new Pixel devices and Razer gaming gear, among others.

Initially launching in the United States, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, members can check the Play Points perks tab every week to discover and claim new prizes.

These new updates come after Google expanded Play Points benefits earlier this year, adding exclusive perks and early access to premium content. With a community of over 220 million members, the platform keeps evolving to meet the increasing expectations of its users.

In early July, Google treated Play Points members to an exclusive Pokémon GO Fest upgrade. Now, it is joining forces with Marvel Games and Kabam to bring another special event for members at San Diego Comic-Con.

Silver+ members will score VIP access to the massive 80-foot "Wheel of Champions," giving them the chance to win amazing Marvel collectibles and capture unforgettable photos with popular superheroes and villains.

Fans around the world can swap their points for exclusive Marvel Comics and unique character bundles in the Marvel Contest of Champions game, which are only available on Google Play.

At the same time, the Google Play Store is rolling out new features like curated "collections" showcasing content from your installed apps. Play Pass is also getting more gaming features and a new comics section with free chapter previews is launching in Japan.

Google is also giving users more control over their data privacy with a new feature that lets them exclude certain apps with sensitive information from Play’s personalization algorithms. You can find this option under the “Personalization in Play” setting in the main menu.

What you need to know

• Google is adding new curated Collections sections to the Play Store and home screen widgets, helping users find apps and content that they love.
• The Play Store is becoming a "destination" rather than just a place to download apps, including live chats with content creators, full comics, videos, and more.
• Google Play Games for PC is getting several upgrades, including synced cloud saves and the ability to run multiple games at a time on a PC.

The Google Play Store has millions of apps to choose from, but while that means you have plenty of options, it also means finding the right app can be difficult. Google is announcing a host of new ways it's improving curation and app discovery on the Play Store, but it's doing it in a way I didn't expect: it'll be using humans to do the job, not AI.

This seems counter to what the company has been doing lately with Gemini. While there's a light AI component to the equation, Google's new Collections feature highlights the importance of having humans at the center of a human-focused policy change.

I had the opportunity to interview Aurash Mahbod, the General Manager of Games for Google Play, about this new move and other changes being made to the Play Store and to try out the new changes at a special Google Play press event in New York City.

Google's new curation changes are starting in Japan with the launch of a new Comics tab today. Comics is a collection of Japanese Play Store users’ favorite things, including traditional page-by-page manga, new vertically-scrolling manga, anime, and even live chats and videos with your favorite creators.

The inclusion of live tiles, videos, and other personal recommendations based on interests is unique among the many times Google has tried to improve curation over the years. I'm fact, it's part of a larger move to make the Play Store “a destination” instead of a place users only go to for apps.

Jumping to the comics section showed me the latest manga releases, including the ability to read the manga right from the Play Store without having to open another app. Some of this builds on the Instant Apps feature Google launched years ago, but bringing YouTube-style live chats and videos to the platform is something new entirely. In other words, you won't need to go anywhere else to find out what's new, regardless of your interests.

Likewise, Google is expanding this concept to sports, shopping, music, and more with specifically human-curated sections of the store based on your interests. Marathon runners, for example, may find a new section that shows them all the best apps to use to prepare for a marathon, including some obvious picks — like training or dieting apps — but also some less obvious ones, like stopwatches and timers that might not normally be categorized as a “running app,” too.

There's even a new hot bar at the bottom of each curated section, which provides quick one-tap access to recommended apps that can run instantly, whether you have the app installed or not.

Many of these tabs and curated lists are spun off from a new multi-select interests feature that'll be presented to Play Store users over the coming days and weeks, helping to better personalize content. You can even remove installed apps from the personalize list, ensuring that one-off app installs don't mess up your beautifully curated store.

A new resizable widget is also launching to highlight curated Play Store content, giving you quick access to recommendations right from the home screen.

Mobile gamers are getting a few treats in the update, as well. An expansion of Google Play Games for PC now syncs your saves to the cloud so you can seamlessly move between your favorite platforms without losing progress. This makes it easy to play your favorite games on the go and enjoy them on the TV or monitor once you get back home.

Google Play Games for PC is also launching the ability to run multiple games at once, so you can enjoy a more active game while your Clash of Clans session continues on the side.

Mahbod told me these moves are in an effort to make Play Games the “ultimate gaming destination” since you can play all your favorite titles on seemingly any device you want. Yes, that likely includes the upcoming Samsung XR headset being co-developed by Samsung and Google.

These changes also come together to ensure that Google can provide intrinsic value to developers who often struggle to keep users interested in games for the long haul. Curation doesn't just include new apps but also important app updates, helping to pull users back in if they've stopped playing a game for a long period of time.

What this all means

Google has tried to usher in better curation in the past and this is the latest attempt to keep users more interested in the Play Store instead of just coming back once in a blue moon for app updates. This latest move has the real potential to work, but there are also some obvious problems with any sort of "personalization." 

At the forefront, Google faces is potential user backlash at becoming yet another ad. Since services like Google and Facebook are free, users are often "the product" as they are served ads in one form or another. While I didn't see any obvious signs of an "ad" during my hands-on time with the new Google Play updates, there's little doubt that Google's curation decisions will be influenced by sponsors along the way.

Moves like this are mainly designed to appease developers, especially as live service games like Fortnite or the latest iteration of Candy Crush continue to cost lots of money to keep updated. User retention is vital to keeping these games alive, and Google has to be creative in its endeavor to keep users interested.

But what's good for developers is also good for users. As consumers, we're always looking for the next big thing. It's just the nature of how capitalism works and Google is playing to that with these updates. Giving users what they want — a never-ending stream of great new apps and games — will inevitably keep people happy and coming back for more.

What you need to know

• The treasure hunt mini-game, Diamond Valley, is launching in the U.S. on June 17.
• In Diamond Valley, you can hunt for diamonds and exchange them for cool prizes like Pixel devices, exclusive game merch, bonus points, and more.
• This summer, Google Play Points is set to offer VIP experiences at popular gaming and entertainment events.

Google Play Points, which launched in 2019 as the marketplace's own rewards program, is back with a new set of perks and rewards to spice up your experience.

Of particular interest is Diamond Valley, a treasure hunt mini-game that's making its way to the U.S. on June 17, according to a post on Google's blog site. If you're curious, it's already up and running in Korea and Japan.

Google Play Points is a rewards program for Google Play users. The tech giant reveals that it's a hit with over 220 million members who use it to rack up points and score rewards.

In this mini-game, you get to hunt for diamonds and trade them in for a shot at awesome prizes like Pixel devices, exclusive game merchandise, bonus points, and more.

You can pre-register for Diamond Valley to grab some extra diamonds. Plus, the first 50,000 Diamond and Platinum members snag an exclusive t-shirt. If you're a top-tier Google Play Points member (Diamond, Platinum, or Gold), you'll also get early access to new games like Squad Busters.

To get in on the action and be ready to play when the game drops, head over to the Perks tab on the Play Points home page.

Google Play Points is also stepping it up with VIP experiences at gaming and entertainment events. This summer, the tech giant is teaming up with some of the most popular events to give you the VIP treatment.

When Play Points first came out, the idea was to reward you for downloading new apps, subscribing to services, and buying movies, books, and more from the Play Store. You can then use the points you earn to spend on in-app purchases, rent movies, or buy audiobooks.

Recently, Google spiced up the program with more tangible perks. Now, you can trade your points for Google t-shirts, socks, and other fun items.

What you need to know

• Google Play Points has a weekly program that lets users have a chance at winning a "Weekly Prize."
• This week, there's a "Super Weekly Prize," and it's the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro flagships.
• There are 100 Pixel 8 and another 100 Pixel 8 Pro phones available, with both models featuring the Mint colorway.

Want a new smartphone? If you're a Google Play Points member, you might be in luck. This week, Google is adding a "Super Weekly Prize," and it's a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro phone. Google is essentially raffling off smartphones to Play Points users, and there are 200 phones available in total. The promotion lasts from March 29 to April 4, but who knows how long it'll be until all the Pixel 8 devices are won, so you'll want to act pretty fast.

The Super Weekly Prize is available for Google Play Points members on the Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers, as 9to5Google first spotted. Though 200 phones might sound like a lot, it's far and away the rarest prize available in the giveaway. There are 100 Pixel 8 and 100 Pixel 8 Pro phones available, but there are over 34,00 prizes available as Platinum Prizes.

Over 10,000 users can win 1,000 Google Play Points, and another 23,800 users can net 500 Google Play Points (Android Central's Derrek Lee was able to score this prize). Then, of course, there are the 200 Pixel 8 series phones, which are all in the Mint colorway that was recently introduced as a mid-cycle refresh. However, you could also end up receiving the regular weekly prize, not the Platinum Prizes listed.

The good thing is that you don't have to risk any Play Points for a shot at the Platinum Prizes; you only have to qualify for one of the three higher tiers.

Here is some of the fine print related to the giveaway that Google shows in the Google Play Points page:

• Play to win one prize per week until Friday at 12:00 AM local time
• Prizes may vary by level, and are available to Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels. Additional eligibility requirements may apply.
• Prizes are subject to availability and may be limited. New prizes are available on Friday at 12:00 AM local time.

Playing for the grand prize is quick and easy. You have to claim the shot at the Super Weekly Prize on the Google Play Points page. Then, a medallion will appear on-screen, and you can tap it to reveal your prize. You'll learn instantly which prize you've won, so there's no need to anxiously wait in anticipation. 

Google says that prizes are limited in availability and may run out, but you can see how many of each prize are left before you play. 

What you need to know

• Google has resumed the rollout of the January Google Play system update for Pixel phones.
• The company started the release of the new Google Play System last month, but had to pause the rollout when the update caused storage issues for Pixel phones.
• Google has presumably fixed the problems now, but users affected by the prior issue are still waiting for a proper fix. 

After the initial rollout caused a second round of Pixel storage bugs, Google has started rolling out the January Google Play system update to Pixel devices again. The update appears to be widely available on Pixel phones and the Pixel Tablet as of Thursday, and we were able to spot it on the Pixel 8 and Pixel Fold.

Google has had a staggered release schedule for Google Play system updates over the past few months. One update caused an issue accessing Pixel device storage at the end of last year, but Google fixed the problem. That is until it released the January Google Play system update towards the end of last month. The storage issues returned, and that prompted Google to pull the system update.

The company shockingly doesn’t have a rollback system for Google Play system updates, so storage issues like these can be devastating. It took Google more than a week to put out a temporary fix for the storage issue, and it still does not have a permanent solution available.

The current solution involves running commands in the Android Debug Bridge and thus requires access to a computer. Some users won’t be comfortable using this solution and are still waiting for a better fix. For now, you can find out more about the ADB solution here.    

The fact that Google is continuing the rollout of the January Google Play system update suggests that the storage issues will no longer affect newly-updated devices. However, as far as we know, there are no developments for people who have had storage issues following the initial rollout.

You can download and apply the January Google Play system update by first opening the settings app on a Pixel phone or tablet. Then, navigate to Security & privacy > System & updates > Google Play system update. If the update is not already downloaded, you can download it now. Finally, you will have to restart your device to finish applying the update.

According to the Google System release notes page, this month’s update includes updates to “system management services that improve Device Connectivity, Network Usage, Security, Stability, and Updatability.“ Additionally, it comes with bug fixes for System Management & Diagnostics services.

There was no Google Play system update in December, so it’s possible that many Pixel devices were still running the November version before Thursday’s release.

What you need to know

• A new promotion from the Play Points program allows you to receive 40% off Pixel devices.
• This reduces the price for the 128GB Pixel 8 from $699 to $419.40, the 128GB Pixel 8 Pro from $999 to $599.40, and the 128GB Pixel 8 Tablet from $499 to $299.40.
• The deal will run until December 31st or until supplies run out. 

If you’re the type to spend a fair amount of shillings on Google Play, you likely know that you can redeem this new Play Points promotion for a significant Play Store discount. Now, Google is running its most promising bargain, which drops the price of select Pixel devices by a whopping 40%.

The promotion — which was spotted and shared by Artem Russakovskii on X — allows Google Play Points members to save up to 40% of the retail price for the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Tablet. 

Apparently, to take advantage of the offer, you must be a member of either the Gold, Platinum, or Diamond tier of the Play Points program. So, unfortunately, Bronze and Silver members of the program are out of luck with the discount.

If you’re wondering where to find this promotion, opening the Play Points page from your account menu and heading over to the “Perks” tab will reveal a banner displaying the offer. You can also access the deal through the dedicated webpage and by tapping “Redeem,” which will prompt you to sign in with the Google account associated with your membership.

In terms of pricing, the discount reduces the price for the 128GB Pixel 8 from $699 to $419.40, the 128GB Pixel 8 Pro from $999 to $599.40, and, finally, the 128GB Pixel 8 Tablet from $499 to $299.40.

Google’s Points program, first established in 2019, essentially rewards big Play Store spenders who can earn points for any in-store purchases. The company has been making improvements to the points system ever since, including last year’s update that started allowing users to cash in their points to receive discounts.

The latest discount — which astonishingly allows Play point collectors to save up to 40% on Pixel devices — runs through December 31st or until supplies run out.

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What you need to know

• Google Play has revealed the winners of the "Best Of" awards for 2023 with Imprint: Learn Visually taking the "Best Overall App" award.
• Hoyoverse's sci-fi RPG Honkai: Star Rail wins the "Best Overall Game" and "Best Story" awards in 2023.
• For "Best Multi-device App," Spotify wins while OUTERPLANE - Strategy Anime takes home "Best Multi-device Game."

As 2023 starts to close, Google is recognizing some of its most popular apps throughout the year. In a press release, Google stated its "big year" is the catalyst behind new award categories such as "Best Multi-device App," "Best Multi-device Game," and "Best for Google Play Games on PC." Moreover, the company is interested in acknowledging apps that have gained traction in the AI space.

To start, Imprint: Learn Visually has received the honor of "Best Overall App" for Google Play in 2023 by its editorial team. This app gained quite a bit of traction throughout the year due to its short, "bite-sized" lessons. Such topics include psychology, history, health, technology, and more. Imprint's discovery page lets users browse and find topics they're interested in learning quickly, while its review feature tests your memory and understanding of topics.

The editorial team is bestowing the "Best Overall Game" award to Hoyoverse's latest space fantasy RPG, Honkai: Star Rail. The sci-fi game won the award due to its "excellent depth of content and stunning visuals" since its launch back in late April. The game, much like Hoyoverse's Genshin Impact, is an attractive role-playing game with lore layered throughout worlds like Jarilo-VI, Xianzhou Luofu, and the Herta Space Station.

The game's latest update, version 1.5: The Crepuscule Zone, is out now, bringing limited 5-star characters like Huohuo and Argenti.

Regarding this year's new "Best Multi-device App" award, that prize goes to the music streaming service Spotify. Google states the app works smoothly for users looking to cook up a meal in their kitchens or for those out on a walk or jog in the park. Moreover, Spotify has continued to bring new features like its AI DJ and its new "Jam" feature, letting anyone become the DJ for the night.

The award for "Best Multi-device Game" goes to OUTERPLANE - Strategy Anime. As the name suggests, OUTERPLANE weaves an appealing anime aesthetic and character design into its "captivating story." It delivers a turn-based experience that works seamlessly across PCs and foldable devices.

Next, the long-standing gacha game Arknights wins "Best on Google Play Games on PC.".

In the eyes of Google Play users, ChatGPT is the best app for 2023. Developed by OpenAI, the company launched its Android app in July in the U.S., India, Bangladesh, and Brazil. The app is free, and it synchronizes chat history with the AI bot across devices. Additionally, users gained many powerful features like creative inspiration, professional input, and instant answers right on their Android devices.

The app also includes OpenAI's latest GPT-4 language model.

The following user choice for games sees MONOPOLY GO! take the award home. Enjoying a (not-so) quiet night at home playing Monopoly is probably a pastime for many families. With the app bringing some of that magic on the go (no pun intended) it makes sense why over 10 million devices have it installed and ready to play.

If you're curious to see if your favorite app or game won an award, you can check out the full Google Play 2023 "Best of" list.

Google highlights some of the changes it's made this year to the Play Store, like bringing in more enticing rewards for users to spend their Play Points on. Rewards involved DoorDash, Instacart, and a few new Google merch items. On the other side, the company has revealed its new "Play Report," a new pilot short-form video series that a limited selection of U.S. users have gotten to test.

The videos function like YouTube Shorts, and Google sees this piece of content as a way of boosting app and game discoverability on the Play Store moving forward.

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What you need to know

• Following Play Live, Google announces its partnership with 10 mobile game development studios for exclusive in-game items for Play Points.
• Play Store users will receive a seven-day Play Points booster for 8x points on items purchased in eligible games.
• Platinum members will soon be able to use their points to redeem Walmart Plus, DoorDash, and Discord offers.

As we wind down from Google's second annual Play Live event, the company is revealing several game partnerships and deals.

Google's announcement details its partnership with 10 mobile game development studios, giving users a wealth of exclusive in-game items redeemable with Play Points. Games include Lord's Mobile: Kingdom Wars, PUBG MOBILE, Match Masters, Evony: The King’s Return, and Clash of Clans, with more for users to discover.

Additionally, Google is granting everyone a seven-day Play Points booster for 8x points on items purchased in the previously mentioned games.

Google's Play Live event brings several deals users can take advantage of in their favorite games and apps. However, in the coming weeks, Platinum members will be able to use their Play Points toward Walmart Plus, DoorDash, and Discord offers.

Those passing the time with Candy Crush Saga can start receiving 2x added value on select rewards such as in-game currency, boosters, and semi-durable items. RAID: Shadow Legends is offering 50% more materials and essential resources to summon and upgrade new heroes through the Shard Triple Pack for a limited time.

Gardenscapes is offering a discount of up to 80% on "special events." Google states that during the event, users can choose between two bundles to quickly level up. These bundles offer worthwhile in-game items like coins, boosters, extra lives, and free event tickets.

Bumble's offer involves an extended Spotlight special, giving users an hour to find a new favorite person or a friend. Duolingo, on the other hand, is offering users a one-month free trial to "Super Duolingo."

Every offer and all of the rewards are available to claim from August 31 to September 6. Those looking to participate in the deals and events can do so within the respective apps or through the Google Play Store.

Much like last year's Google Play Live, those tuning into the live stream could engage with some of the most well-known content creators and play their favorite games. Additionally, the deals and in-game rewards Google has revealed are a part of its Labor Day Deals Week — where more is likely in store.

Google Play has been the catch-all umbrella term for most of Google's app and mobile gaming endeavors for the past decade and more. The Google Play Store, its app marketplace, continues to be the main source of software and security for Android phone owners worldwide — alternative stores like the Galaxy Store notwithstanding.

Some Google Play services, like Google Play Music, didn't stand the test of time, getting Killed by Google or incorporated into other apps despite their popularity with core Google fans. While others, like Google Play Services (note the capital "S"), are vitally important to the entire Android ecosystem.

There are so many Google Play apps and platforms, many with similar-sounding names, that it can be hard to keep track of which service does what and which one is still available. Below, we'll break down all of the Google Play platforms, past and present, to help you know which ones to care about. 

Google Play Store

The Google Play Store needs little introduction, but even people living under rocks and sheltered iPhone users deserve information, so here goes. 

Hosting over 3 million apps, the Google Play Store provides Google-approved apps for Android phones and tablets, Wear OS watches, Android TVs (or Google TVs), and Chromebooks. You can rely on alternatives like the Galaxy Store on specific phones, but nearly every Android device ships with Google Play by default; Chinese phones are the main exception.

Along with games and apps, you can also buy ebooks and audiobooks through Google Play in certain countries. Other previously purchasable content like music and movies have now migrated to other Google apps.

The Google Play Store made $42.3 billion in 2022 off of 110 billion game and app downloads, its second-highest year but a drop from $47.9 in 2021, according to Business of Apps. Of that number, $31.3 billion came from games. 

While this is a hefty sum, it's still just half of the $85 billion the Apple App Store made that year, as per CNBC. Still, even if iPhone users spend more, the gap between app stores has lessened in recent years; in 2018, iPhones made 10X more per device than Android phones.

We have Play Store guides on how to find the required Android version for apps and how to search for games and apps by specific devices that'll help make using the Play Store a little easier. 

Google Play Services

Our guide on Google Play Services best describes how this background "app" works:

"Google Play Services is essentially just an app, controlled by Google, which updates automatically in the background on every Google-certified Android phone...Play Services can run with elevated permissions and supersede anything and everything in the OS if it needs to.

"If an Android app interacts with a Google service, chances are it's doing so through Google Play Services." Any app that interacts with core Google features like Cloud Messaging, Drive, Location, Play Games, Wear OS, and Google Pay do so through the filter of Google Play Services' latest updates.

This app matters because it can retroactively bring new security measures to older phones that will never update to the newest software. For instance, Google Play Services brought Android 11's privacy tools to Android 6 phones, ensuring that unused apps collecting data would be automatically shut out from accessing private info after a while. 

With each new Android update, Google improves Project Mainline, its Google Play System Updates tool, to have the ability to update more and more core Android features behind the scenes without an actual "update."

Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect refers to Google's online and offline security tools that ensure downloaded apps from the Play Store (or third-party stores) are safe and malware-free.

Google scans its billions of apps for malware and notifies users if their app library contains a "Potentially Harmful App" or PHA. This works for Play Store apps by default; if you want your phone to check apps downloaded from other sources, go to your phone's app security settings and enable "Improve harmful app detection."

Despite the fact that Android phones have a reputation in some circles for being vulnerable to outside threats, our editorial team has argued that this is "fearmongering BS" based on how far Google has come with Play Protect, which uses the Play Services' backend access to "nuke malicious apps" once they're spotted.

Google Play Games

Google Play Games is a handy gaming hub for your Android phone, remembering which games you've played recently so you can continue playing, or older uninstalled games you may want to reinstall. You'll find "instant play" games that you can enjoy without installation, playlists of similar games, or searchable categories that let you specify things like no ads, no IAPs, available through Play Pass, portrait vs. landscape games, and genres.

Most recently, Google brought its mobile platform to Windows with Google Play Games for PC, where certain games support cross-platform play so your saves and achievements transfer from phone to computer. The games list isn't especially long, but Google has expanded the beta to 13 countries and promised developers that the onboarding process has become easier than ever.

Considering how poorly Google's Stadia experiment went, Google Play Games for PC may or may not get the internal support it needs to become a long-term success. But as a mobile app, GPG is a popular and useful tool.

Google Play Pass

A $4.99 subscription to hundreds of Android games, Google Play Pass currently sits at over 900 games, many of which cost more than that by themselves. Some of the games on the list are free without Play Pass, but the subscription removes in-app advertisements and payments, making your toilet gaming time less annoying and removing the temptation to spend money on microtransactions.

Our guide on the best games in Google Play Pass shows the kind of quality you can expect from the service, even if plenty of the 900+ games are lower-quality or duplicates of one another. In general, you should find plenty of games to play. 

The question is just whether you play a wide-enough variety of games on your phone to justify spending the monthly fee, or if it makes more sense to just buy specific games outright. 

Google Play Points

The more money you spend on Android games and IAPs, the more Google Play Points you receive, which can then go right back towards Google Play credits or currency in partnered apps. If you sign up for Play Pass, you'll get triple the points you'd normally receive — though anyone subscribed to Play Pass probably won't have much occasion to buy other games. 

In addition to using points for credit, you can also use saved points when checking out in the Play Store. Anyone with a balance will see a "Use points" option, even if you don't have enough points to cover the whole transaction. 

Most recently, Google expanded what you can spend Play points on, such as credit for Doordash and Instacart. You can even buy official Google merch like a T-shirt, water bottle, or sunglasses with your Play Points.

Google Play Books

Google Play Books is one of the more straightforward apps on this list. You can purchase ebooks or audiobooks through the Play Store or the Play Books app itself, or upload your own Epub files or PDFs directly to your Library.

The best perk of Google Play Books is that you can access these titles across all of your phones, tablets, and laptops, including directly through your Chrome browser so long as you log into your Gmail account. That means you can read your ebooks or listen to your audiobooks practically anywhere.

The only missing option is a Google e-ink tablet equivalent of a Kindle. But among the best e-ink tablets, you'll find some like Onyx Boox tabs that support the Play Store, so you can download Google Play Books and read your ebooks there.

Google Play Movies and TV

Now we've reached the "Killed by Google" portion of this list. Google Play Movies & TV used to be a dedicated app available on most smart TV brands and mobile devices; then Google deprecated it, moving some portions of it to YouTube and others to Google TV. 

If you previously purchased movies or TV shows through the app, you can now access those purchases on YouTube or in a web browser at play.google.com. Otherwise, Google TV is your new home for purchased content on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. It's mainly designed for streaming channels like Netflix, but you'll also find rented and purchased content there. 

If you're interested in Google TV, you can access it on any TV through the Chromecast with Google TV, or you can look into the best Android TVs since (despite the name difference) most "Android TVs" now run Google TV. Google sure loves its confusing naming schemes, doesn't it?

Google Play Music

Google Play Music offered a way for Android-owning audiophiles to combine their burned MP3 library with a subscription of tens of millions of songs, all in one library. Google Play Music didn't get the traction the company wanted, and so it moved its users and their libraries over to YouTube Music instead. 

Reactions to this transition were mixed: one of our former editors wrote a mournful mixtape about how much she'd loved Google Play Music, while another former editor said he'd already left GPM years ago for Spotify. Most recently, one of our editors noted how YouTube Music's reliance on streaming uploaded files instead of just playing local files is both annoying and underrated. 

Now, YouTube Music is one of the most popular streaming platforms, giving you tools like offline streaming, real-time lyrics, podcasts, and other neat perks added in the past year. 

Google Play Newsstand

Google Play Newsstand launched about a decade ago, combining Play Magazines and Google Currents into a single platform for aggregated news and digital magazine subs. It incorporated machine learning in 2016 to give you more personalized results for the kind of news you'd find interesting. 

Then, when its more important Google News app needed a refresh, Google folded Newsstand (and aspect of YouTube) into News. Now, essentially, Newsstand is just the functionality within News that lets you subscribe to digital magazines. You'll see any subscriptions under Payments & Subscriptions in your Google account settings.

Google Play Edition

Play Edition phones had a simple concept: buy hardware from popular Android brands with stock Android software instead of their specific skins. Samsung, Sony, and Motorola each launched one Play Edition phone, while HTC sold two. LG also sold the only Play Edition tablet.

We haven't seen a Play Edition phone since the HTC One M8 in 2014, though one of our editors said last year he wanted a Galaxy Z Fold Play Edition instead of the Pixel Fold. The premise was that these phones would get speedy, clean updates in line with Google phones, but they never proved especially popular. Eventually, Google shifted focus to the similarly-doomed Android One program.

Nowadays, most of the best Android phones use their own spin on Android but still manage to deliver fairly speedy updates; and even Google's own Pixel phones, which get the fastest updates, diverge from the AOSP with exclusive software tricks. A purely "stock" Play Edition phone isn't what a lot of Android fans want. 

What you need to know

• Google starts rolling out new rewards available for Play Points on its app store.
• Rewards include DoorDash, Instacart, and a few Google merch items.
• Merch items will remain available so long as supplies last.
• The offer continues until September 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM PDT.

With so many ways to earn Play Points, Google is sweetening the pot a little more by including some brand-new rewards.

According to a Google Keyword post, the company is rolling out several new rewards active Play Store users can spend their Play Points on. Google stated it has partnered with DoorDash, Povo2.0 (available in Japan), and Instacart to bring consumers some notable goodies. Users will find these new offers by heading to the Play Store > Play Points homepage > "Use" tab > "Lifestyle" sorting option. 

Additionally, the offers begin today and will continue until September 30, 2023, at 11:59 PM PDT.

For the DoorDash partnership, users will find a $10 off discount on one order of $25 or more. New and existing DoorDash customers are eligible for this coupon, but it is not stackable with other promotions/discounts going on, according to its Play Points description.

Instacart, a grocery delivery service, is also taking part in Google's newest Play Points rewards promotional period. Several options are as follows:

• $5 off next grocery order of $35+: 500 points
• $10 off next grocery order of $35+: 1,000 points
• 2 months free grocery delivery: 1,000 points
• $15 off + 2 months free grocery delivery: 1,750 points

If you're a Google superfan, you might enjoy the new merch items available through the Play Points system. It's worth keeping in mind that these new Google merch offers are only valid in the United States through to the end date. Supplies are also susceptible to running out, so if you're interested, act quickly.

• Google Sunglasses: 900 points
• Google Recycled Bottle: 1,400 points
• Google Dino Socks: 2,100 points
• Google T-Shirt: 2,500 points
• Google Crewneck Sweatshirt: 5,000 points

Google Play Points can be earned by purchasing apps and games, making in-app purchases, or by subscribing to Google One on Android. Consumers can also redeem them for some Google Play Store credit, knocking off a few bucks from items they're looking to buy.

If you're not already enrolled in the Play Points program, you can do so and begin earning so you can maybe snag some of the added goodies.

Although, the option to purchase the added items is not appearing on the web version of the Google Play Store. It appears as though Google is rolling things out to its Android app version first.

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What you need to know

• Google is introducing a new policy for Play Store app developers.
• Developers need to provide users an easy way to request account and data deletions.
• User will see the changes in Google Play starting in early 2024.

Google is constantly making changes to the Play Store in order to give users more control over their data. In a new post on its developer blog on Wednesday, the company highlighted a new way that it would empower consumers to remove their accounts and information from an app.

With the new policy, Google is mandating that any app that allows account creation must also provide an easy way for account deletions. This is a process that must be allowed both via the app and online, the latter of which will prevent users from needing to reinstall an app to remove their accounts.

The policy also requires that beyond account deletions, users must also be given a way to request that their associated data be removed from the app. As Google notes, this should happen when users request account deletions, but developers can also give users different choices for data deletion.

Bethel Otuteye, Google's senior director of Android App Safety, says in the blog post that "users who may not want to delete their account entirely can choose to delete other data only where applicable (such as activity history, images, or videos)." Developers will also have to disclose which data they have to retain, but these data retention practices must be for certain reasons, such as security, fraud prevention, or regulatory compliance.

This new policy builds on the new Data Safety section that was introduced to the Play Store last year. This is where developers detail their data collection practices to give consumers more context before deciding to download an app. Developers also use this section to point out ways that consumers can delete their data from an app, but the new policy takes it a step further by providing users with a "more consistent way to request them."

Developers need to submit answers to data deletion questions by December 7, and the new data will begin to appear on the Play Store by early 2024. Developers can also request an extension to comply with the new policy by May 31, 2024.

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What you need to know

• Users have started seeing Google Play's new warning about apps with performance issues.
• This warning will show if other owners with an Android model similar to yours have experienced a rash of problems with an app.
• If an app's crash rate is above 8% on any given phone model, every owner of that phone will see a warning to potentially steer them away until it's fixed.

Google appears to have taken additional steps to warn its users about apps that just aren't cutting it.

Mishaal Rahman tweeted about the appearance of this new warning about apps that may stop working on your phone (via Android Police). The new warning for users is backed up by data that Google has collected regarding the technical performance of an app on devices similar to the one you own.

What's more, is that it looks like Google had plans to introduce this new warning system for the Play Store back in October. According to an Android Developers Blog post, Google's quality bar per phone model was introduced due to some apps working perfectly fine on some Android models but not on others. This brought about a "bad behavior threshold" that Google hopes developers will keep their apps under.

The threshold was set at 8% for the user-perceived crash rate and user-perceived ANR rate. Anything above this will trigger the warning about the app on the Play Store, which has started appearing for some users.

Frustrating to use apps are never a good thing, and it seems like Google is looking to rid its store of any such foolishness. It also gives the user a chance to decide whether or not they want to download an app, given they will have this piece of useful information beforehand.

Google has also stated it would also restrict an ill app from appearing in certain discovery sections if it's been tagged with a technical warning.

That said, app developers should hopefully be able to nip any problems in the bud before it crosses the small user-perceived 1% crash rate across all Android devices. Google has given developers a Play Console tool to use which can monitor an app's core vitals and display the areas where things need to be fixed in an upcoming patch.

Keeping the developer accountable for the product they place on the Play Store is becoming the new normal. In July 2022, Google swapped out the old permissions list (before saying it'd come back) with the Data safety section. This was a way of being completely transparent with the user about what data would be taken and how it would be used — despite the amount of information given still being left up to the developer.

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What you need to know

• Google is setting new requirements for all Wear OS apps.
• By August 31, 2023, Wear OS apps must target the latest version and be updated with new Wear OS 3 requirements.
• Google lists the new requirements for apps on Wear OS 3, such as a black background, activity indicators, and more.

Wear OS 3 has been around for a little while now, and now that more smartwatches have received the latest version of Google's wearable OS, the company is setting some new ground rules for developers.

Google announced in a blog post on Tuesday that new requirements for Wear OS apps will go into effect on August 31, 2023. By that date, developers will have to update their apps to target Android 11 (API Level 30), which is the version Wear OS 3 is based on.

"We are introducing these changes to ensure app users get a basic consistent experience across all apps in accordance with our latest Wear OS design and development principles," writes Google product manager Ishaan Aggarwal. "In addition, updates to the publishing requirements will improve the discovery and presentation of your Wear OS apps in the Google Play Store."

The blog post lists some of the requirements that apps will have to meet by the August 31 deadline. These include UI changes that will help apps better fit with the design language of Wear OS 3. This includes a black background and displaying the time above apps, except during certain dialogues or confirmation screens.

Apps must also provide activity indicators at the bottom of the watch face, within the app launcher, and in the associated app tile. 

The full list of requirements includes other changes to navigation, visual quality, accessibility, and tiles, as well as performance and Google Play listing guidelines.

Apps for Wear OS watches that don't meet the requirements by the August 31 deadline will "stop being discoverable to all Google Play users whose devices run Android OS versions newer than the app's target API level."

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What you need to know

• Google rolls out "Purchase Requests" for the Play Store.
• This allows family managers to accept or decline a purchase request by their child in real time for a requested in-app transaction.
• These requests are aimed at families with no set family payment method, giving them the freedom of deciding how to fulfill the transaction.

Google Play gains an additional family control feature just in time for Christmas break.

According to Google's Keyword post, families should begin seeing a new "Purchase Requests" feature. This is designed for those without a set family payment method set when their child is interested in purchasing an item from the Google Play Store. 

A child looking to buy something for their favorite mobile game will see a message telling them to "Ask their parent," pushing the request to them. The family manager will receive a request for purchase for evaluation before deciding whether or not it should be completed or not.

Parents will easily see who is asking for the purchase to be made for their account, as well as some optional information about the app the purchase will be made for. Google states that if the family manager is interested in completing the requested purchase, they can choose what form of payment best suits them, including Google Play gift cards.

Google's updated purchase approvals page explains that children can request the purchase of a paid app or an item in the app. They cannot submit a request for Play Books, Google TV, or subscription purchases.

However, these requests don't have to be settled right away as you can come back to them at a later time to make your decision. Any payments made through a Purchase Request can always be found in your Order History to take a look at how much has been spent.

Users who have already signed up for a Google Play family will be familiar with this sort of payment approval design for their loved ones already. This feature already exists for children 13 and under looking to purchase something on the Google Play Store when there is a set payment method for these transactions.

Purchase approvals with a set payment method can be managed based on the type of content looking to be purchased such as being needed for all content, all paid content, only in-app content, or no such approval needed.

What you need to know

• Google has announced the its best of 2022 awards for apps, games, and more.
• Apex Legends Mobile was voted as the best overall game by users and the Google Play editorial team.
• New categories include "Best for Chromebooks" and "Best on Play Pass."

At the end of every year, Google announces the apps and games that its editorial team believes deserve recognition. This year is no different, and the company has just revealed the winners of the Google Play awards while highlighting a few new categories in the process.

As for the best overall app, that honor goes to Dream by WOMBO. This is an interesting app that lets users create artwork using AI. Users start with a prompt of their choosing, which can be a short description of what they want. They then select an art style and can even input a photo to help influence the art, and the AI takes over and creates beautiful images based on your selections.

The best overall game selected by Google Play's editorial team is Apex Legends Mobile, which isn't much of a surprise. It's an incredibly popular and fun game that lets users play with each other in a battle royale using different characters, weapons, and across different maps. It's a game that anyone can enjoy, and you don't need the most decked-out gaming phone to play. This is undoubtedly why Apex Legends Mobile was also voted as the users' choice for the best overall game.

Another user choice selection is BeReal, an app that went viral for its unique take on social media and posting. It's something of a challenge that requires posting a photo once a day of whatever you're doing. The trick is that you can only post when the app tells you to, and you have two minutes to post an image when the notification says it's time; otherwise, you're just not being real. It also takes a simultaneous photo using your front and rear cameras.

Todoist won for the best app on Wear OS watches, while Google introduced a new category to highlight apps and games for Chromebooks. The best Chromebook app is BandLab, which lets users create music, while the best Chromebook game is Roblox.

You can check out the full list of U.S. apps and games that won, with new categories including the best ongoing game and the best on Play Pass. The list also includes top-selling books and audiobooks, which may give you some ideas on what to read next.

If you're curious about the apps and games that won in your country, you can head to the Play Store and find the banner for the Best of 2022.

The Goolge Play Pass subscription on the Play Store lets you access over a 1,000 games and apps for free, for a small monthly fee. It's worth it if you game a lot or love to try new games every month. Google's game catalog is constantly being refreshed, so keep an eye out for new additions in Play Pass. The beauty of this subscription is that you get acccess to many premium titles too without having to buy them separately.

No matter your choice of games, Play Pass has it all. From intense strategy games and action-packed indie platformers to relaxing puzzle experiences and immersive RPGs, there are plenty of genres and types of games for you to dive into. Of course, this isn't a full list of Play Pass games, just some of our favorites. If you're looking for other great games to try that aren't on Google Play Pass, be sure to check out our collection of the best Android games.

As a bonus, if you decide to take a break and cancel your subscription, all of your favorite games and apps, as well as their saved data, will be waiting when you return. While you don't get every single paid game on the Play Store, many of the popular titles are available.

RPG games

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was, to my recollection, one of the first full console/PC games to be released on mobile in its full glory. Coming from the good ol' BioWare days, it's also regarded as one of the greatest RPG video games ever set in the Star Wars universe, and perhaps one of the best RPGs ever (even if I think the sequel is better as a whole).

The game is set thousands of years before the rise of the Galactic Empire and lets you choose your character's path — will you use the power of the Force to save the Republic or go down the Sith path and join the dark side? An absolutely epic game that still holds up to this day.

Stardew Valley

Just like Terraria (which we'll get to in a bit), Stardew Valley is another beloved PC and console game that has been ported over to mobile fully intact and optimized for touchscreen devices. Stardew Valley is an open-ended life sim/RPG that opens with you taking over the old family farm, getting to know the townsfolk, and exploring the nearby countryside.

Your first task is to fix up the old farm, but from that point on, the adventure is really up to you. Whether you choose to settle down, marry, and live out a quiet family life running the farm or dedicate your life to adventuring as a treasure-seeking explorer, the choice is yours — as is the choice of touchscreen controls or a Bluetooth controller.

Ticket to Earth

A cross between tactical turn-based RPG and tile-matching puzzler, Ticket to Earth took its bold concept and just ran with it, no holds barred. At surface level, the gameplay looks deceptively simple. Combat takes place with your player character and opponents on a colored tile grid that dictates how you navigate the board. To move, you draw lines along a tile color wherein the route can be as long as the color can conceivably continue in an unbroken line, including diagonals.

In most encounters, you'll want to take the longest possible route each turn, as this accomplishes a couple of different goals. It gives you greater mobility to put yourself at a position advantage over your enemies and running along with colored tiles charges up character abilities associated with each color. Think about it kind of like chess, but the board shifts as you progress and you get to kill robots and space roaches. Plus, it's much more fun!

Enveloping the addictive gameplay is an equally interesting sci-fi story. Ticket to Earth takes place in an off-world colony where tickets back to Earth are nearly impossible to get. Societal strife, betrayal, and insurrection lie at the core of this tale, and watching it unfold through comic-book-style cutscenes will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.

Ticket to Earth has it all. Engaging gameplay, a fun setting, an absolutely bangin' soundtrack, and a well-thought-out plot. Clocking in at over 20 hours of playtime, Ticket to Earth is a steal for a mere $4.99, or free with Play Pass. Trust me on this one, you really need to play this game.

Puzzle games

Monument Valley 2

Embark on an adventure that follows a mother and her child as they explore new architectural marvels featuring mind-bending puzzles. This game is all about messing with your perspective and solving puzzles that require you to alter the beautifully rendered environments.

This game is plain awesome, just like its predecessor. It's OK if you never played the original game as the stories are entirely unique, but if you love the sequel, you'll definitely want to double back and play the first Monument Valley, too.

Bridge Constructor Portal

Bridge Constructor Portal brings the physics-based fun of the original Bridge Constructor game into the iconic, chaotic world of Portal, including our old friend GLaDOS.

Now, not only are you tasked with building structures capable of carrying vehicles from point A to point B, but you've got to also contend with an assortment of Portal goodies, including portals (duh), propulsion and repulsion gels, cubes, and much more from the Aperture Science Enrichment Center.

It's a simple game that's extremely addicting. Just remember, while your test subjects may incur serious injuries, it's all done in the name of science.

Card games

Card Thief

Stealth is the name of the game in Card Thief. You play a thief who must sneak their way through a deck of cards, collecting treasure while avoiding detection. You can use equipment cards to assist you in your thieving ways, too, but don't get too cocky or you'll run out of sneak points and get caught.

Card Thief features daily challenges and deep strategies, and a nice progression system that lets you upgrade equipment cards as you pull off heists. There's a bit of a steep learning curve involved here, but it's a rewarding game for fans of strategy card games.

Card Party! Uno Friends Family

Everyone knows and loves the classic card game UNO, and Card Party! Uno Friends Family adds a new twist to this classic for the digital age. "Crazy cards" are a new addition which gives the game a new fun element. You can play with friends and family online, or with other players from around the world. There are up to 10 special cards like Wizard, Arrow, and Megablock, which add a new twist to the game.

You play your cards before the timer runs out and the winner is the one who has no cards left, just like the original. There's a six-player mode, free bonus coins everyday, nine leagues to unlock, and good graphics. You can even play with Facebook friends or as a guest.

Music games

Cytus II

You'll push your thumbs to their absolute limits in this truly exceptional rhythm game that has hundreds of high-energy tracks. The concept isn't hard to quickly pick up; a line bounces up and down the screen as your metronome and notes appear that you have to hit in time to the beat to increase your score.

Where Cytus II is unique, though, is in the margins. The gameplay is bolstered by a fascinating story unfolding in an in-game UI that is a lot like Twitter but in a post-apocalyptic, technologically-advanced world. Between the extremely addictive gameplay and the ever-deepening mystery, Cytus II is easily the game that I sunk the most hours into last year.

And thank goodness this title came to Play Pass because otherwise, I would not have been able to afford its massive list of charts. All tracks are unlocked via Play Pass and you never have to pay a single cent for new track packs. You could spend hundreds of dollars unlocking everything the game has to offer otherwise, so Play Pass is a stunning deal when it comes to Cytus II. I cannot recommend this game highly enough!

Action games

Dead Cells

Dead Cells begins in what appears to be a traditional Metroidvania fashion but reveals its unforgiving rogue-like nature in short order. It's a game that's sat atop our best Android games list since its debut because we've been in love since it launched on console and PC platforms years before.

The Android port is as perfect as it gets, with full controller support (you're going to need it) and custom-built touch controls — although you'll probably only want to use those if you really enjoy punishing yourself, and this game is punishing enough as it is! Part of the charm of Dead Cells is the permadeath structure, which forces players to learn enemy patterns and upgrades.

As a bonus, the Android version now includes the Everyone Is Here Vol. 2 DLC that adds new skins and weapons from some of the best and biggest indie games out there, like Slay the Spire, Hotline Miami, Katana Zero, and more. If you've somehow still managed to miss the bus to Dead Cells station, there's no better time to hop aboard.

Grimvalor

Grimvalor is a side-scrolling action RPG that features tight controls, excellent movement abilities, an interesting (albeit familiar) story, and pretty graphics. You need to be tactical about how you approach enemies and level your character because this game can certainly be a challenge if you're not careful.

There's plenty to explore, too, with secrets hidden throughout the map. All told, the world is hell-bent on seeing you fail, but take up your sword and fight on anyway. Most of the time, the odds are against you and it's up to your skill to see yourself through.

Shadow Fight 2 Special Edition

Shadow Fight is one of the best fighting game series developed for mobile, featuring gorgeous graphics, smooth animations, and a huge variety of deadly weapons to upgrade and master. This special edition is the premium version, with no ads or energy bars, so you can play whenever you want.

There's a complete story mode to battle through with Shadow Fight 2's surprisingly tight touchscreen controls. It's not the newest kid in the series, but it's still a kickass game worth your time if you like fighting games. There's a lot of variety for different play styles.

Super Cat Tales 2

Super Cat Tales 2 serves as a prequel to 2016's Super Cat Tales, and harkens back to the platforming games of old. In the game, players control Alex the cat and his cat friends, and have to navigate through various levels while avoiding enemies, fighting bosses, and collecting coins.

The game features over 100 levels, unlockable characters, various items to unlock and use, and hidden secrets throughout the game. Developer Neutronized also custom made the game for mobile touch controls, making for a comfortable experience.

Casual games

Hidden Folks

Hidden Folks is a game that takes everything you loved about Where's Waldo — the hand-drawn art style, the relaxing and focused fun — and pushes it into the digital age. Here, instead of scanning a page, you're left to swipe and tap around to uncover secrets hidden throughout the living scene.

At each level, you're given a list of people or items to find in the scene, and it's up to you to explore every inch of the canvas as you happen upon all sorts of little moments that play out. The sound design is charming and comprised of layered human-made sound effects that remind me of a parent making sounds while reading a book to their kid.

Sagrada

If you're even slightly into board games, you've probably heard about Sagrada before. It's one of the most popular dice drafting board games out there and it's a delight to see that the mobile adaption is as good as the physical version. Sagrada has you and three other players competing to build stained glass windows worthy of the heavens for the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral.

You do that by taking turns drafting colored dice, which you use to fill your "window pane" (your board), meeting specific conditions to rack up more points than your opponents. Color, order, and the numbers on the die you draft all affect your board state and it's a constant power struggle to see who can get all of the die they need before the game's ten rounds are up.

This premium title is normally $6.99, but Play Pass subscribers can get it for free. It's a top-quality game and is sure to entertain any fan of board or mobile games.

Adventure games

LIMBO

LIMBO is a brilliant puzzle platformer that looks and plays like the absolute work of art that it is. You play as the silhouetted young protagonist who is searching for his missing sister in LIMBO, a dark and dangerous place filled with traps and monsters.

If you're looking for a fun yet incredibly creepy platformer, then LIMBO is a must. This shadowy game will give you the heebie-jeebies more than once. With such wonderful quirks, LIMBO is delightfully weird. If you've played it before, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The game features ingenious puzzles and an award-winning aesthetic that will haunt you and stick with you long after you've put the game down.

Terraria

Terraria is basically a 2D Minecraft with seemingly endless areas to explore and serious depth to the crafting system. For example, you're able to discover and craft over 400 different weapons to defend yourself. There are NPCs to interact with and lore to be uncovered, too, but this game is largely what you make of it.

The controls have been optimized for mobile, and there's even multiplayer available for up to eight players connected on the same Wi-Fi or playing on a custom server. If you've never experienced Terraria before, Google Play Pass makes it easier than ever.

Thimbleweed Park

Modeled after classic point-and-click adventure games like Secret of Monkey Island, Thimbleweed Park is a true modern callback to the genre. Where it differs is with its story and content, which takes inspiration from cult-classic media like Twin Peaks and the X-Files.

Gameplay is straightforward from a mechanical standpoint, but very complicated from the logical side. If you've never played any of ye olde point-and-clicks, be prepared to encounter some frustrating puzzles and possibly also need to consult a walkthrough. The story at the heart of the game is very entertaining though, with lots of humor, weirdness, and a big mystery to be uncovered at the center.

The characters are memorable, the pixelated graphics are lovely, and you're sure to sink quite a few hours into this adventure before you're done. Thimbleweed Park is normally premium priced at $9.99, but it's free for Play Pass subscribers, so it's a killer value.

Very Little Nightmares

There aren't nearly enough high-quality spooky games for mobile, but thank goodness that one of the better ones is part of the Play Pass family. Known for its visceral, grotesque art style and tense cat-and-mouse situations, Little Nightmares has gained a serious cult following over the years. That following proved to be strong enough to warrant Very Little Nightmares, the miniature companion to the acclaimed series.

Very Little Nightmares features a tiny figure in a yellow raincoat attempting to escape a creepy mansion full of sinister villains called The Nest. Due to the scaled-down stylings, the art and design aren't as impactful as in the console/PC versions, but the settings still manage to convey a real sense of danger and tension as you work to solve puzzles and progress.

Each room more or less acts as its own contained environmental puzzle, which can sometimes be trickier than you might think. The real fun though comes from trying to find all the collectibles while you're at it. Normally $6.99 on the Play Store, Very Little Nightmares is completely free for Play Pass subscribers. An excellent value and a solid choice for the spooky gamer's library.

Simulation games

Mini Metro

Mini Metro is an award-winning subway simulator. You're tasked with drawing up subway lines that connect the various stations that pop up as your city expands. You need to make sure passengers arrive where they need to go in a timely fashion, which often requires re-drawing your lines to be more efficient.

With a brilliant minimalist aesthetic, a responsive soundtrack that's fleshed out by the subway lines you build, and a ton of different game modes to enjoy, you will absolutely fall in love with Mini Metro.

Pocket City

Pocket City is a simulator where you get to build your own city and watch it thrive, if you do it correctly. You can start with a small town and slowly expand it into a thriving metropolis. The soothing graphics with pastel shades and cute animation makes this a must-play game for simulation fans. The best part is that it's free to play in Play Pass and there are no microtransactions at all.

It's not just about building though. Pocket City has quests which you complete to earn XP and money. You can even trigger events like parties or disasters like tornados. Advanced buildings can be unlocked by levelling up, along with new new land and terrain. The game is fully playable offline making it a great addition for those long flights. You even have the option to upload your city to the cloud to transfer it to other devices or to share with a friend. If built properly, your city will come alive with citizens, vehicles, animals, and more, all going about their daily lives.

What you need to know

• Google has unveiled all the changes included in the September 2022 update for the Google Play system.
• It allows you to hide recommended apps when setting up Google Kids Space.
• The update also improves account syncing and account recovery for Android Auto, phones, TVs, and Wear OS.

Google's September 2022 update for Google Play system is here with a ton of changes, chief of which are a handful of Google Kids Space improvements.

The latest Google Play system update allows you to hide recommended apps when setting up Google Kids Space. It's not clear what apps will be concealed, though. You'll also be able to install Google Kids Space on a secondary user account on many of the best Android tablets. This should make it easier to share a tablet with children through Android's multi-user support.

Google has also improved account syncing and account recovery across Android Auto, smartphones, Android TV, and Wear OS. These changes arrived as part of Google Play services v35.22, which rolls out today.

There's a plethora of goodies for Google Play Store as well, including improvements for the Play-as-you-download feature, Google Play billing, and Play Protect. It has also made the download and installation process faster and more reliable.

Furthermore, there are new features meant for better app and game discovery, as well as new features for the Play Pass and Play Points programs. Lastly, Google has added performance optimizations, bug fixes, and improvements to security, stability and accessibility.

It's a safe bet that Google will make more changes later this month, as the Play system changelog is typically updated several times per month. It should be noted, however, that these updates are being rolled out in stages, so you may not see the most recent improvements on your device right away.

What you need to know

• Google announces a new logo for the Play Store.
• The slightly refreshed logo has more rounded corners and saturated colors.
• The redesign is part of Google Play's 10th year celebration.

The last time Google Play got a fresh coat of paint was back in 2017, when the shopping bag symbol was removed and only the play button remained. It's been five years, which means the service is due for another makeover.

Google unveiled today a new look for Google Play, though there's no drastic change to the triangle play button. The new design is part of Google Play's 10th anniversary, which marks a decade since it was rebranded from Android Market to its current name.

"To round out this decade, we’re introducing a new logo that better reflects the magic of Google and matches the branding shared by many of our helpful products — Search, Assistant, Photos, Gmail and more," Tian Lim, vice president of Google Play, wrote in a blog post announcing the new logo.

Companies often change their logo to reflect a new vision or to keep up with the times and stay relevant. In Google's case, it appears that the goal is leaning toward the latter.  

Google Play's fresh coat of paint was recently spotted when users made Google Pay transactions. And as expected, it adopts a more saturated color scheme and rounded corners. This means the blue and green colors are now less vibrant than before. This updates the icon's appearance to match the rest of Google's core services.

Another noticeable change is the more proportionate spaces occupied by the four colors versus the previous version. Gone is the dominant space for blue as well, giving the other three colors equal room to stand out.

The latest shift comes two months after Google rolled out a massive redesign to the Play Store's desktop version, replacing the left-hand sidebar with a top navigation bar.

As part of its 10th year celebration, Google is also giving Play Points members 10x points when they use their points to make purchases starting today, July 25.

What you need to know

• Google has started rolling out a new program for Play Points.
• Play Points are earned via Google Play Store purchases.
• Customers can use their earned Play Points to redeem discounts toward a Google Store purchase.
• Customers will only be able to use one discount per purchase, and the program is available only for a limited time.

Google has started rolling out a new program to the Play Store. Customers can use their hard-earned Play Points toward purchases on the Google Store.

The company's new program will allow customers to turn those Play Points into discounts that can count toward their next Google Store purchase. This includes hardware like the Pixel 6 and some of the best Google Assistant speakers.

9to5Google spotted the new program, noting that it's not widely available just yet but that it's slowly coming out. Unfortunately, it seems the program is limited to the United States.

There will be four tiers available for those interested in scooping up a discount: $10, $50, $100, and a $200 off discount. Each of these available discounts has its own Play Points threshold. The $10 one has a point threshold of 500, while the $200 discount will require 10,000 points.

According to the program terms, users cannot claim two discounts and use them toward a single purchase. Another important point to note is that Google is seemingly only giving you one of each discount. That means you should hold off on claiming one of these discounts until a particular Google Store item catches your eye. Claiming a discount will provide you with a code that will "expire after 30 days."

The purpose behind Play Points when it was introduced in 2019 was to reward those big Play Store spenders. Google has been continuously improving how its users interact with the Play Store using its point system. The company implemented a way for users to use their Play Points to redeem movies and shows on Google TV. Google recently started allowing Play Points to be used to help cover the balance of a Play Store purchase.

A program like this may succeed in driving people's desire to spend more on the Google Play Store. Enrolling in the Play Point program is free.

What you need to know

• Google has halted updates to messaging app KakaoTalk in South Korea for offering its own billing method.
• The Play Store has a standing rule for developers to use Google’s first-party billing system for in-app purchases.
• KakaoTalk is temporarily offering a direct app installation file in response to the block.

Google Play's current billing system policy has sparked controversies in various parts of the world due to its restrictive attitude towards third-party payment methods. South Korea, in particular, passed a bill last year prohibiting tech giants from forcing developers to use their first-party billing method, but that hasn't stopped Google from cracking down on the policy's first casualty.

A new report from South Korea says that the search giant has halted Play Store updates to KakaoTalk, a popular messaging app in South Korea, due to billing issues (via TechCrunch). The app's Android version still includes an external payment link to its website as of June 1, when Google's billing system policy in the country took effect.

According to the report, the messaging app keeps using its own billing method, allowing users to buy items outside of Google Play. While the Mountain View-based giant currently allows eligible third-party payments in South Korea as part of its new policy, developers must only offer them as an option alongside Google's first-party method. This excludes external links. KakaoTalk apparently didn't follow this rule, resulting in the block.

Nonetheless, KakaoTalk remains functional for Android users in the country, sans the necessary updates. Alternatively, it can be downloaded via Apple's App Store along with a direct app installation file. However, it risks being removed entirely from the Play Store if it doesn't obey Google's rulebook.

Android Central has reached out to Google for comment and will update this article when we receive a response.

In light of Google's move against KakaoTalk, it won't be surprising if other apps that try to bypass the Play Store's billing system will see a similar consequence in the future. It remains to be seen how South Korea's telecommunication authorities react to Google's decision.

What you need to know

• Google has established a $90 million fund to settle an antitrust lawsuit filed by app developers.
• The fund will reimburse developers who claim Google charged them an unfair fee for app purchases made through the Play Store.
• The settlement is pending court approval, with nearly 48,000 developers eligible for reimbursement.

Google will pay $90 million to developers to settle a lawsuit alleging that the search giant charged them an unfair fee for app purchases made through the Play Store.

The fund will be used to reimburse app developers who sued Google in 2020 over accusations that it charged them exorbitant fees of 30% for app purchases and in-app purchases made through the Play Store. The plaintiffs also claimed that Google forced them to use its Google Play billing system.

Last year, Google lowered the Play Store fee to 15% for the first $1 million in revenue per year earned by developers. As part of the preliminary settlement agreement, Google will only take a 15% cut from the developers' first $1 million in annual revenues until at least May 25, 2025.

Google said in a blog post that it intends for the proposed settlement "to move forward and [avoid] years of uncertain and distracting litigation." Developers who earned $2 million or less in annual revenue through the Play Store between 2016 and 2021 are eligible for compensation. The agreement is still subject to court approval.

Hagens Berman, the law firm that filed the class-action on behalf of the developers, said in a press release that nearly 48,000 U.S.-based app developers are eligible to receive payments from the fund. This means some claimants could receive as much as $200,000. On the other hand, the minimum payout they could get is $250.

In addition to the fund, Google has also agreed to keep its 15% commission rate for the first $1 million earned from Google Play. The company will also revise its Developer Distribution Agreement to clarify that developers may use contact details obtained through the app to communicate with users outside of the platform. Finally, an Indie Apps Corner will appear on the U.S. homepage of the Play Store to highlight apps from small developers.

What you need to know

• Google announces new app updates available now or coming soon to Android phones.
• Gboard receives new Emoji Kitchen mashups for Pride as custom text stickers roll out to all Android smartphones.
• Accessibility features such as Sound Amplifier and Lookout are receiving helpful new updates.
• Users will soon be able to use Play Points for in-app purchases on the Play Store.

Summer is almost here, and Google is announcing a handful of features arriving for Android smartphones. These new features will make it easier to communicate and interact with the world around them with fun updates to Gboard and improvements to accessibility features. The Play Store is also receiving a nice update to help users make in-app purchases.

Custom text stickers and new Emoji Kitchen mashups

Custom text stickers are one of the best new features to arrive on Gboard recently. The feature lets users easily convert just about any text into a fun sticker, adding a nice touch to a greeting or celebratory text. The feature was previously exclusive to Pixel smartphones, but Google is soon enabling the feature on all the best Android phones.

It's easy enough to create a custom text sticker with Gboard, and it will definitely make your texts stand out. Google says it will be available on non-Pixel Android phones "soon," although we've already noticed the feature arrive on some of our devices like the Galaxy S22.

Gboard is also receiving a bunch of new Emoji Kitchen mashups to help get ready for the summer. There are 1600 fun new combinations to try out, including a soccerball watermelon. And to celebrate Pride Month, Google also includes a bunch of new rainbow stickers.

Accessibility gets a boost

Google is also making some improvements to its accessibility apps that should help make it easier for users to understand what's going on around them. The first is an update to Sound Amplifier, which is used to help those with hearing loss. It can be used to amplify sounds around you or on your device, and the latest update brings better noise reduction, improved processing, and a new UI that should make it easier to use.

And for those with visual impairments, Google is updating the Lookout app, which is designed to help describe various items around you. It features a few modes that can help describe text, currency, documents, or items around you. These modes are being updated with improved accuracy, but the biggest news is the brand new mode arriving on Lookout.

With the new Images mode, Android users with low vision can open an image from nearly any app, and Lookout will describe it to them. And Lookout will also work offline, meaning you don't need a data connection, making the app much more accessible to those that rely on it.

Google Play Points get even better

Lastly, Google is giving its Play Points rewards program a boost by allowing users to use their points to pay for in-app items. This means you can save a few bucks and use the points you've racked up to either slip the payment or cover the entire cost.

This feature started showing up in March, but it's finally rolling out to more users globally. According to Google, the feature will be available "in the coming weeks" in countries where the Play Points awards program is available.

What you need to know

• Google has agreed to allow Match Group to offer alternative billing methods to users.
• After Google made concessions, the Tinder owner dropped its request for a temporary restraining order.
• Match Group's apps will also continue to get updates even if they offer alternatives to Google Play Billing.

Google's aggressive push to make its Play Store billing system the sole method for billing transactions has taken yet another hit. Match Group, the parent firm of Tinder, has prevented Google from forcing the use of Google Play's billing system.

In a press release, Match announced that Google has agreed to relax the Play Store billing requirement for its apps. As a result, Match apps will no longer be booted out of the Play Store, even if they process in-app purchases through alternative billing systems.

In exchange, the dating app maker has walked back on its request for a temporary restraining order against Google.

"Match Group today announced it has withdrawn its request for a temporary restraining order against Google, after Google made various concessions that Match Group demanded to benefit consumers," the company said. "Those include guaranteeing that Match Group apps will still be allowed to offer users choice in payment systems, lessening the undue burden on developers by its previously stated policy, and eliminating Google's complete control over user data."

Match filed a lawsuit against the search giant in May after Google threatened to remove its apps from the Play Store for refusing to share a portion of its sales processed via Google Play Billing. Under the current billing system, the company takes a cut of up to 30% for every transaction.

Google's concessions are yet another major setback for its billing policy, which has already been challenged in court by several entities, including Epic Games. Earlier, the creator of Fortnite filed a court injunction to prevent Google from removing its Bandcamp app from the Play Store if it did not use its required billing method.

The concessions will also allow Match to push app updates to Android phones even though these apps "offer alternatives to Google Play Billing, continuing to provide users with the choice and optionality they've grown accustomed to."

In return, Match promises to "test Google's system on their platforms, alongside current payment systems" once Google resolves various issues with its billing system.

Update (May 19, 12:30 PM ET): Google has shared that it was able to "identify the root cause" and has provided instructions on how to fix the problem.

What you need to know

• A new bug is preventing users from setting up new or restored Chromebooks.
• The bug appears when reaching the Google Play Terms of Services page in the setup process.
• There's no official fix for the issue yet, but there are a couple of workarounds.

While we're big fans of Chrome OS and Chromebooks around these parts, that doesn't mean the platform isn't without its flaws. Google is hard at work, implementing features that should have already been available, along with a few that you wouldn't expect.

But the last thing you would want to deal with when setting up a Chromebook after a Powerwash or out of the box is a random bug. Unfortunately, it seems that's exactly what's happening to some users, as first reported by Android Police. When going through the initial setup process, you might not be able to get past the "Google Play Terms of Service" screen.

Users in the r/ChromeOS community have run into a "Something went wrong" error message when reaching the aforementioned screen. Making things even more frustrating is that there doesn't seem to be any mention of what is actually wrong. The only description offered when seeing the error page is "Google Play Terms of Service cannot be loaded. Please check your network connection and retry." And as you might expect, clicking the Retry button continues to put you back in the same place as before.

We ran into this issue on one of our Chromebooks that was going through a fresh setup after entering Developer Mode. At the time, it was just attributed to the fact that Developer Mode is extremely buggy and could have been causing the issue. A simple forced restart (pressing and holding down the power button) managed to get things back in working order after the Chromebook was back up and running.

One user in the Chromebook Support Forums was able to clear the issue by clearing the Play Services cache and data from their Android phone. Then, they were able to finish setting up the Chromebook without running into issues. But this problem also could have something to do with a Play Store update being installed, which is done when you go through the setup process for the first time.

What throws a wrench into the mix is the fact that it could actually be related to Play Services itself and not Chrome OS or the best Chromebooks. We have not yet seen an official response from Google in any capacity, but the company is usually pretty swift regarding these kinds of bugs. We've reached out to Google to try and see what's exactly going on here.

Update

Following continued issues from Chromebook and Chrome OS users, it seems as though Google has figured out the reason for the ToS freeze during the setup process. The response comes via the Chromebook Support Forums but doesn't provide an indication as to what was causing the problem. 

Thanks to the feedback you've shared, we were able to identify the root cause and have resolved the issue.  In order to proceed through the Play Terms of Service error you will need to reset your device. If you are seeing the Play Store Terms error please reset your device by doing the following:

1. Once you see the Play Store error page please reset your device in order to restart the initial setup flow again. 

- You can reset by pressing the Power button + Refresh button at the same time. Learn more on Reset your Chromebook hardware

2. Once the reset is complete, login using the same user profile.

3. You should no longer see the Play Store error page.

In the event that you are continuing to run into issues when setting up a Chromebook, you're encouraged to share feedback with the team. Doing so will provide better insight to Google in order to hopefully release a bug fix or share instructions on how to get past the issues.

Google's latest Play Store policy changes are claiming another victim today, this time in the form of digital purchases in the Amazon app. Folks who enjoy purchasing Kindle books, digital music, or even movies or shows on Prime Video will now have to use their computers, Kindles, or a web browser to do the job.

Physical goods can still be purchased from the Amazon app on Android, so this change doesn't render the app entirely useless. You'll also still be able to watch any purchased Prime Video, Kindle, or Amazon Music content through the appropriate apps. You just won't be able to buy any new digital media through the Amazon app.

This information comes from a BBC report (via XDA-Developers) that explains Amazon's reasoning behind the move was to avoid the newly-imposed 30% fee on all digital purchases made through the Google Play Store. Previously, companies could use their own billing systems to avoid the fee Google imposes on purchases, but the new policy says that companies who make over $1 million annually must use Google Play billing for in-app digital purchases.

Amazon made the same change in the Apple iOS app a while back for the same reason. This follows news of several other apps pulling digital purchases from their virtual shelves because of the change. Just last week, we saw that the Bandcamp app could even be removed from the Play Store if it doesn't change over to Google Play billing by the end of the month.

While Google's Play Store changes are causing all sorts of issues with big-name apps that people use every day, Google says the change was imposed to help Android users pay for digital purchases more easily. Google Play gift cards can be used on all digital purchases made through the Play Store and could have been a great way to buy Kindle books or albums on Bandcamp if the app makers played ball. On the flip side, it would mean that these companies would all of a sudden experience a notable drop in revenue were they to impose the changes.

What you need to know

• You can no longer create a new Hulu account on Android and smart TVs, possibly due to Google Play's new billing policy.
• New customers must now sign up through the streamer's website or non-Android devices.
• Existing customers can still log in to the Hulu app.

Hulu appears to be the latest fallout from Google Play's new billing requirements, as new customers are unable to sign up for the streaming service on their Android phones or smart TVs.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the Hulu app on Android devices and Android TV-based smart TVs no longer allows new customers to create an account. This also precludes anyone from signing up for a free trial.

If you have no existing subscription and want to sign up for Hulu, you'll need to do so through its website or on a non-Android device. Otherwise, you can log in to your account on the Android app as usual.

Android Central has reached out to Hulu for comment and will update this article as soon as we hear back. However, while the service did not provide an explanation for the latest change, it is clearly the result of Google Play's new billing policy, which went into effect in April, requiring developers to process in-app transactions through Google's own billing method.

A message on the app's home screen reads: "Sorry, we’re unable to do sign ups in the app. If you’re already a subscriber, log in below to start watching."

Previously, when you opened the app, Hulu displayed options to start a free trial or subscribe right away for a starting price of $5.99 per month.

The new requirement, which allows Google to take a cut of every in-app transaction, did not go down well with developers. In response to Google's policy, Audible and Barnes & Noble recently removed in-app purchases from their Android apps.

To be fair, Google had been lenient with the new requirement, giving developers a grace period of more than a year between announcing it in September 2020 and enforcing the policy earlier in April.

As a result, developers have sought ways to bypass the new system, including advising customers to make their purchases directly through their websites. Hulu is the latest platform to embrace this alternative.

What you need to know

• Google has finally made the new data safety section in Google Play available starting today.
• The new section provides more transparency about what apps are doing with your data.
• It requires developers to provide information on why their apps are collecting data and whether these apps are shared with third parties.

Google has announced that a new data safety section will start showing up in Play Store app listings today, several months after it first demonstrated the new feature.

The new section, which was shown off in May of last year, aims to inform users about an app's data collection and handling practices. It requires developers to declare what type of data their apps collect and for what purpose.

Beginning today, you'll notice a variety of information that an app may collect, such as your precise location, contacts, email address, photos, videos, and purchase history.

The section also specifies whether data is encrypted or shared with third parties. You'll also see information on whether you can ask for your data to be removed.

The new privacy policy is meant to give users more context before installing an app.

"We heard from users and app developers that displaying the data an app collects, without additional context, is not enough," Google said in a blog post. "Users want to know for what purpose their data is being collected and whether the developer is sharing user data with third parties."

Developers must indicate whether data collection is essential for their apps to function and whether their apps adhere to Google Play's Families Policy in order to protect children from harmful content.

Developers have until July 20 to finish the new section for their apps. This means that the rollout will be gradual, and the new feature will not be visible in all app listings at launch.

Furthermore, while not everyone will notice the new design right away, Google has stated that the new feature will be available on all Android phones in the coming weeks.

Every update that developers push for their apps in the future, whether it's a change to their data handling practices or functionality, will appear in the data safety section.

The new design resembles the privacy labels that Apple introduced to the App Store in 2020 to provide more transparency about an app's data collection.

It's a welcome change that should give you a more holistic view of what apps are doing with your information, though it remains unclear how Google intends to enforce the new policy for apps that misrepresent how they handle data.

What you need to know

• Google mandates that Android apps use Play Billing for in-app purchases.
• The deadline to adhere to Google's policy was March 31, following a six-month extension.
• Audible and the Barnes & Noble Nook app made last-minute changes to remove in-app purchasing options.

The deadline for Google's Play Billing mandate has recently passed, and two apps have made last-minute changes that fans may not be too happy with. Both Audible and Barnes & Noble have removed in-app purchases in the latest updates issued over the past couple of days as a response to Google's policy.

The changes were spotted by The Verge, with some of the best e-book and audiobook apps outlining the recent changes made to the respective apps. An Audible support page includes a notice informing users that they can no longer make in-app purchases with credit and debit cards as of April 2 with version 3.23 of the app:

"As of April 02, 2022, you may notice some changes to the Audible for Google Play Android app. Most of the features you love about the Audible app will remain the same, but you can see what's changing below, and as always please contact us if you have questions."

"Audible has integrated the core features you love and expect. You can still sign up in the app. And we know that credit redemption is a primary way that customers use Audible, so you can still purchase credits and redeem them for audio titles."

The notice also includes a comparison between the Android app versions, so users can easily discern the differences with the new version.

On Monday, Barnes & Noble also issued a statement about an update to the Nook app. It notes that with Software Version 6.1, "the ability to purchase has been removed from the Barnes & Noble NOOK App for Android and the NOOK HD 10" Designed with Lenovo."

Barnes & Noble says customers can get around this by purchasing content from its website, which will sync to the app. Users can also access their wishlist from the website as well to make purchasing easier. However, once you download the update, in-app purchases will no longer be available (you can apparently avoid this by not updating the app).

Google initially had a September 30 deadline for apps to comply with the Play Billing policy, meaning in-app transactions had to go through Google's billing system. However, plenty of apps still relied on their own billing, and Google gave developers the option of an extension to comply with the policy. That extension lasted until March 31.

While the policy has come under scrutiny from regulators, Google has recently shown that it's willing to work things out with developers, at least somewhat. Google announced that it's working with Spotify to test Choice Billing, which would allow customers to choose their preferred billing system. However, details of the program are fairly scarce as the companies build it out, and Spotify appears to be the only partner thus far.

The program lets developers offer their own billing system as long as Play Billing is included, and Google previously told Android Central that developers will still incur the same service fee. That said, it's unclear how exactly this might benefit developers since the service fee was one of the biggest complaints, but we'll learn more when the program launches later this year. For now, Audible and Nook users will have to use a roundabout way to make purchases.