Google removed 60,000 apps from Google Play in February and this week launched a new media focused design for the apps store for Android devices. Google's guidelines are not as strict and bothersome as Apple's but Google's automated algorithms to detect spam apps have been steadily improving -- leading to the record high purge of low-quality apps in February. As for the new design, Google Play now features a cleaner and simpler interface, trades the black color scheme for white, and now has larger images to make content easier to find as part of Google's effort to help users access all of their entertainment needs faster than before.
What Else You Need To Know
- Google Play updates are coming to any device that is running Android 2.2 (Froyo) or newer.
- Google claims that people around the world will get the latest Google Play over the next few weeks.
- Research firm Canalys says that there were over 13.4 billion app downloads across 50 countries during the first quarter of 2013.
- Canalys says that Google Play accounted for the greatest number of app downloads at 51%, although Apple led in terms of revenue with 74% of the market share.
Other sources
- Phone Arena
- Apponomics: lion's share of Q1 app revenue went to Apple, while Google Play raked in the most downloads
- Digital Trends
- Apple’s App Store accounts for 74 percent of app revenue in Q1, while Google Play sees most downloads
- Android Community
- Google Play Store app count drops by 60,000
- Engadget
- Google Play Store 4.0 redesign rolling out to Android phones and tablets today
- Droid Life
- New Google Play Version 4.0 Announced, Starts Rolling Out Today
- GigaOM
- Google Play has more downloads, but iOS still rakes in most of the profits
- Phandroid
- Google begins rolling out redesigned Google Play Store
- Other
- Google Play Store Updated with new card-based interface, Starts rolling out today
- Other
- Google Play store redesign starts to roll out for Android smartphones and tablets
- Mobile Burn
- Google Play redesign now appearing on Android 2.2 or later phones and tablets
- More...