Google Play Store Gets a Facelift: Between Smart New Features and Major Cleanup 🛒

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Google is planning a major overhaul for its Play Store, Android’s app marketplace. With a series of newly announced features, the tech giant aims to evolve the Play Store from a simple app store into a true discovery and experience platform for users.

Thematic collections and better recommendations 📑

First, Google introduces Collections, a new tool that will allow users to more easily discover relevant content. These Collections, accessible from a widget on the home screen, will automatically group apps and content based on different categories such as « Shopping », « Listen » or « Watch ». The goal is to help users spend more time with content they enjoy, rather than having to aimlessly scroll through the app catalog.

Game recommendations will also be improved, with a more detailed filter system making it easier to find titles matching one’s preferences. The Google Play Pass subscription will also provide access to over 1,000 games and apps without ads or in-app purchases.

AI to make discovery easier 🤖

Google’s Gemini AI model will be used to automatically generate app summaries and FAQs, helping users quickly form an opinion. Gemini will also compare similar apps and highlight their key differences.

Additionally, Google is rolling out thematic « organized spaces, » such as a cricket space in India or a manga space in Japan. These spaces will gather apps, previews, and trailers around specific topics.

Cleaning up low-quality applications 🧹

Alongside these new features, Google also plans to conduct a major cleanup of the Play Store. Starting August 31, the platform will begin removing apps deemed « low quality », i.e., those that do not offer a stable and engaging user experience. Apps that crash, lack basic functionalities, or attractive content will thus be eliminated.

Do you use an Android smartphone? If so, what do you think of these new features? Let us know in the comments.