Google on Wednesday introduced a series of features to the Play Store aimed at encouraging users to use the app store to discover and consume content, rather than just download apps.
The Play Store will add features such as AI-powered app comparison, auto-organized categories of similar apps, a dedicated content hub, data personalization controls, and support for playing multiple mobile games on PC.
AI-powered search suggestions. Image courtesy of Google
Notably, the app comparison feature is powered by Google's Gemini AI model, which allows users to easily compare apps in similar categories. When searching for an app that can perform a specific task, such as photo editing, the AI will suggest multiple options to help you find the right app quickly. Each of these suggestions comes with a description highlighting its features.
The feature is apparently part of the company's ongoing efforts to incorporate AI into its services: At its Google I/O event in May, the company said it was using Gemini models to generate AI-generated app reviews and FAQs for the Play Store, a collection of the most important reviews and frequently asked questions about game listings.
These new features follow a preview of the Play Store's latest policy updates, which take effect on August 31. The company plans to mass remove apps that don't meet its standards, which includes “apps that crash, don't provide basic mobile utility, lack compelling content, or exhibit other behaviors that are inconsistent with a functional and engaging user experience,” Google wrote.
Collections and curated spaces
We're also introducing a new Collections feature designed to help users discover relevant content across the apps they use most, which is rolling out to users in the U.S. starting today.
When you press and hold the Play Store icon, a menu of seven categories will now appear: Food, Games, Listen, Read, Shopping, Social, and Watch. Each category contains related apps and recently interacted with content.
For example, if you were previously browsing for headphones in the Best Buy app, the app will appear at the top of the list in the Shop category, so you can quickly return to browsing. The Play Store will also suggest related apps.
During a demo of the feature, TechCrunch learned that Google plans to add more categories to this list, such as “Health & Fitness,” “Travel & Events,” “Sports,” and “Dating.” The company is also considering making collections customizable, allowing users to group apps as they wish and receive recommendations for similar or related apps.
The Collections feature automatically organizes your apps into categories. Image credit: Google
There is also a feature called “Curated Spaces,” which curates content into dedicated hubs so users can explore more of their favorite content. The first of these spaces is “Comics,” which is essentially a hub for thousands of manga and anime titles aimed at Japanese users.
More control over your app data
Google also gives users control over what data associated with certain apps (such as app activity, purchases, and offers) is made available through Google Play.
Data controls let you decide how you want to see suggestions in the Play Store. Image credit: Google
By visiting their profile and selecting “Personalization in Play,” users can turn off how Google Play uses their app data to show them personalized recommendations and ads related to the app. The company said it may take up to 24 hours for the change to take effect.
Multi-game support on PC
Users who play mobile games on their computer using Google Play Games on PC can now have two games open at the same time in two separate windows, similar to a split-screen setup.
Multi-game support on PC. Image credit: Google
During the demo, Google showed off the feature by opening up Clash of Clans and Disney's new kart racing game Speedstorm side-by-side: What this means is that with it, you'll be able to add troops to your Clash of Clans training queue before starting another Speedstorm race, for example.
The multi-game feature will be rolled out over the coming weeks.