Three and a half years ago Google’s Android Market was launched; it was a standalone app store which didn’t sell music, e-books or videos. However, over the few years, the Android Market grown into more than an app store – they are now a major provider of digital content. As a result of this Google decided to change the name to Google Play.
The change will not alter the functionalities or features that were available in the Android Market. Instead of this, Google Play repackages the Android app store, Google Music, and the Google eBookstore into one cloud-based “digital entertainment destination.”
The promotional video on the Google Play website emphasizes the cloud-based nature of Google Play. Google Play users can watch, listen to, or read content on one device and seamlessly pick up where they left off on a separate device.
Google’s Director of Digital Content said the following on the company blog:
“Starting today, Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore will become part of Google Play. On your Android phone or tablet, we’ll be upgrading the Android Market app to the Google Play Store app over the coming days. Your videos, books and music apps (in countries where they are available) will also be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps. The music, movies, books and apps you’ve purchased will continue to be available to you through Google Play—simply log in with your Google account like always.”
The Directors blog highlighted the content and features that Google Play offers users. Google Play users will be able to use the service to download a large number of Android apps, store 20,000 songs, browse e-books, and rent movies.
To celebrate the rebrand, Google Play is offering users promotional pricing on a different book, album, video rental and Android app each day.
