Google Play

Google Play is a digital distribution service operated and developed by Google. It serves as the official app store for the Android operating system, allowing users to browse and download applications developed with the Android software development kit (SDK) and published through Google.

Google Play also serves as a digital media store, offering music, books, magazines, television programs, and films. It previously offered Google hardware devices for purchase until the introduction of a separate online hardware retailer, Google Store, on March 11, 2015.

Features

Applications are available either free of charge or at a cost. They can be downloaded directly to an Android device through the Play Store mobile app, or by deploying the application to a device from the Google Play website. Some applications may require a device to run a newer version of Android than it currently does. In some cases, applications may not be available in all countries.

Google Play was launched on March 6, 2012, bringing together the Android Market, Google Music, and the Google eBookstore under one brand, marking a shift in Google's digital distribution strategy. The services operating under the Google Play banner are:

• Google Play Music: All Access, a subscription music service offering ad-free listening and unlimited skips.
• Google Play Books: An ebook store offering millions of titles.
• Google Play Movies & TV: A video on demand service offering movies and television shows available for purchase or rental, depending on availability.
• Google Play Newsstand: A news aggregator and digital newsstand offering subscriptions to digital magazines and topical news feeds.

Design

Google Play is laid out in a grid of categories and subcategories, with a sliding panel to browse featured, top paid, top free, and trending applications, as well as games, in each. Searching also allows users to find apps by keyword. App pages offer screenshots, video, and developer information.

When an app is selected, users are shown a screen with the app's Google Play description, as well as its change log. Below this is a list of similar apps. Reviews and ratings are displayed below the app's description, as are the number of downloads, ratings, and comments (if any). Some apps are designed for specific Android devices, and may not work on other devices. To address this, Google Play offers a "Designed for tablets" section, and a "Designed for phones" section, to help users find apps that will work with their specific device.

Usability

Google Play is available for devices running Android 2.2 or later, and can be downloaded from the Google Play website or from the Android Market app on compatible devices. Compatible devices can also receive and install applications pushed to them remotely by developers through the Google Play website. Google Play allows developers to remotely push updates and new versions to their applications, instantly making them available to users on their devices.

Conclusion

Overall, The Google Play store is a great place to find apps that are designed to work on a mobile device. You can find a wide variety of apps to suit almost any purpose, and with the store's apps, games, movies, books, and music, there's something for everyone.