Google Play Adds Collections Widget, New Play Points Rewards, and More

Google announced today the “next chapter” for Google Play as the company wants its digital storefront to become an “end-to-end experience” that isn’t limited to apps, games, and book distribution. On Android, Google Play is adding a new Collections widget, new rewards for the Google Play Points program, and more.

For Android users in the US, Google is launching today a new Collections experience that will add a widget to the home screen highlighting content from apps users have already installed on their devices. These Collections will feature different categories such as Watch, Shop, Games, and Listen to help users pick up where they left off.

With Curated Spaces in Google Play, Google also wants to help users explore topics they’re interested in by bringing together information from different apps. After piloting a curated space for cricket for Android users in India, Google is launching a new curated space for comics in Japan featuring content from popular Japanese comic publishers. “You can access comics-related content all in one place — including free first chapter previews, live events and trailers, editor picks and fan reviews even from apps you haven’t installed,” the company explained.

Google Play Pass, the subscription service providing access to more than 1,000 games and apps without any ads or in-app purchases is also getting more content and perks. Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance will join the Play Pass library later this month, and subscribers will also get new offers in Asphalt Legends Unite, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Candy Crush Saga.

Google Play Points, the digital store’s rewards program is also getting better by giving Diamond, Platinum, and Gold members a chance to win new “Super Weekly Prizes.” These will include Pixel devices, Razer gaming products, and other merchandise.

For Windows users, the Google Play Games Beta on PC will also let users play multiple Android games at the same time, with support for mouse and keyboard input. These multi-game capabilities will roll out to beta testers over the next few weeks, the company said today.