This morning, Google Play announced a pretty important update to Google Play, which was actually pushed out last week. The update integrates Google+ even deeper into the Play Store. The update has been rolling out since last week, but we all know how Google’s staged roll-outs work by now, and how much we love them…not. There are some great new features coming to the Play Store in this new apk.
The included features include being able to have an activity page in the Google Play Store app, where you will be able to see all the Google Play content you’ve viewed, rated, and +1’d. It’s very easy to access this page as well. Simply tap on your profile picture in the left-hand navigation menu. Additionally, you’ll start seeing more recommendations from your friends and family, and you will be able to tap on their profile pictures to see the Google Play items they’ve +1’d or reviewed.
It’s basically another way Google has found to push Google+ to their Android users. Which is really the point. Google wants you to use as much of their services as possible, which generates more ad revenue. And if you’ve paid attention to their quarterly earnings, you’ll know that Google makes roughly 95% of their revenue from search and ads. So it’s important that they push you to use as many Google services as possible. At this point, you can still use the Google Play store without Google+, but we’re unsure how much longer that will last. I’d guess it won’t last much longer. Google is clear that they are very serious about Google+ and getting as many people using it as possible. Which I love Google+ so I’m in favor of that.
You can learn more about this update from +Google Play on Google+. How many of you are excited about these new changes to integrate Google+ deeper into Google Play?