Google Upgrades Play Store with Privacy Controls and AI Content
Google has been busy revamping and adding features to the Play Store app. Recently, it previewed those additions which include new enhancements on how to personalize and customize the app store for a better experience. As announced by Google, it has narrowed down when users could expect such enhancements to hit their devices.
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One of the highlights in the upcoming suite of Play Store features is Personalization in Play. This entire new section lets users finetune their Play Store preferences, such as selecting the content categories they want the recommendations to be based on. Apart from filtering user interest, Personalization in Play also includes a way for users to better manage their data.
Play Store offers better privacy controls to users
Google's newsletter explained with “these enhanced controls you can ensure that you have a better Play experience that is personalized to you,” while also highlighting the preservation of privacy. This brings flexibility and freedom to users, which was a one-sided approach before, with Google mostly controlling how your Play data is used.
The company added users can access these controls by going to the “Your Play content” inside the new Personalization in Play section in the Google Play Store. From there, you can individually select which app and its data to be excluded from personalization.
Once you apply those preferences, a pop-up note will appear that reads, “App won't be used for personalization in Play.” Moreover, it mentioned changes made this way will take up to 24 hours to take effect.
Other new Play features: AI curated content, Multi-game support
In addition to Personalization in Play, Google will also introduce AI-generated reviews and information when viewing apps in Play. This is presented as app highlights and shows the different app features.
There are also AI-curated spaces based on your interests rather than having only related apps shown. For instance, Google launched a curated comics space in Japan where users can also see previews, relevant events and trailers, and editor's picks, among others.
Specifically for those living in the US, pinning Play Store collections on the home screen through widgets is now available, letting users access and browse different content without launching the app store.
Another improvement touted for Google Play Games on PC is multi-game support. This allows you to run two games side-by-side on a PC. In addition, the update will also make it possible to launch your game on a mobile device or tablet and pause it, only to continue playing on your computer later.
Many of these new features will be shipped to devices via a Play Store app update in the coming weeks.
What are your thoughts on Google making the Play Store app richer as an all-in-one platform that not only serves apps? We want to hear your opinion and suggestions alongside other features you would like to see added.
Source: Google
