Google Play Store gets a redesign on the web, but is it needed?

Date:
Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:15:05 +0000

Description:
Google is testing a refresh of the Play Store on the web, but if you dont
have a Chromebook, is there a point to this?

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Using Googles Play Store on the web has felt outdated for years, mainly due
to it reflecting a look from 2014, back when the Nexus 6P was the Google smartphone of choice.

According to 9to5Google , however, Google has recently been rolling out a refresh to the Play Store on web browsers to finally reflect the latest look and feel of recent Android releases.

The company used to showcase this feature as a way of installing new apps to your Android device without laying a finger on your smartphone, but in recent years its felt a bit neglected, having gone without a mere mention in Googles I/O keynotes.

But with Windows 11 enabling Android apps, both through official and unofficial means, it asks the question of why... and why now? A foundation
for the future?

The new design mirrors what you see on a Chromebook. If you follow this link you may come across the new design if youre signed into a Google account, although it looks as though its being switched on for random users for the moment.

The new layout brings in separate tabs for Games, Apps, Movies and Books. Every landing page to a product on the store displays well, regardless of whether youre viewing it on a 1440p monitor or an iPad mini.

But that begs the question, why has Google made this change now?

If youve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and you use an Android smartphone, youll have probably noticed that youll soon be able to use some of the apps that you use everyday, albeit via the Amazon App Store..

But, with unofficial methods allowing the full Google Play Store to be used, the new look of the Play Store on the web could encourage Windows 11 users to stick with Googles Play Store on the web, rather than using the competing Amazon App Store. (Image credit: 9to5Google / Google)

Microsoft and Google have an opportunity here that goes beyond the Amazon App Store. Being able to run any Android app on your Windows 11 device is going
to be a tempting prospect to many.

Theres around 60,000 apps available on Amazons Store, compared to over three million apps on the Google Play Store. With games, media apps and other categories available to download compared to whats on Amazons Store, it may convince both Microsoft and Google to allow users to install more content through the Play Store, and through the web version.

Combine that with being able to download apps from a web version of the Play Store, and it only makes sense to see an agreement between the two companies in the coming years.

Microsoft and Amazon have laid the groundwork for Android apps in WIndows 11, but its now time to see how Microsoft and Google can really open the gates
for the Play Store to arrive for Windows users. Our pick of the best monitors for Black Friday

Via 9to5Google



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/google-play-store-gets-a-redesign-on-the-web-bu t-is-it-needed/


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