Google Overhauls Play Store with AI‑Driven Features and New Gaming Hub
Key Points
- Play Store gets a refreshed Apps tab with interest‑based curated spaces.
- Guided Search uses Gemini AI to find apps by describing user goals.
- New You tab centralizes subscriptions, rewards, recommendations, and stats.
- Gamers receive a unified profile, AI sidekick assistance, and league competitions.
- AI sidekick provides real‑time help in supported games such as Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes.
- Play Games on PC exits beta, offering over 200,000 titles on Windows.
- Enhanced Game Detail Pages add event info, developer updates, and community Q&A.
Google announced a major redesign of the Play Store aimed at personalizing app discovery and boosting user engagement. The update introduces a refreshed Apps tab, interest‑based curated spaces, a new You tab for subscriptions and rewards, and AI‑powered Guided Search that lets users find apps by describing goals. For gamers, a revamped Play Games experience adds a unified profile, AI sidekick assistance, and league competitions. The changes build on recent efforts to make the Play Store a broader content destination, leveraging Gemini AI across multiple new functionalities.
Redesigned Play Store Layout
Google unveiled a suite of visual and functional changes to the Play Store, beginning with a redesigned Apps tab. The new layout incorporates "curated spaces" that group content around seasonal topics and personal interests, pulling in material from multiple apps. In the United States, for example, a space dedicated to the WNBA will showcase related apps and media.
AI‑Powered Guided Search
The update adds a feature called Guided Search, which uses Gemini AI to let users type a goal or idea instead of a specific app name. A user could type “find a home” to receive recommendations for real‑estate applications, streamlining the discovery process.
Interest‑Focused You Tab
A new You tab centralizes subscription tracking, Play Points rewards, personalized recommendations, and usage statistics. It surfaces suggestions for movies, shows, podcasts, ebooks, and more, making it easier for users to resume content they previously engaged with. Gamers also receive a dedicated profile within this tab, complete with a customizable Gen AI avatar.
Enhanced Gaming Experience
The Play Games ecosystem receives several upgrades. A unified gamer profile aggregates stats, achievements, and community interactions across devices. The platform introduces Play Games Leagues, allowing friends to compete for Play Points; the inaugural league will feature the popular title Subway Surfers.
Most notably, Google launches an AI‑enabled Play Games Sidekick. This in‑game overlay provides real‑time assistance via Gemini Live, offering tips and guidance without leaving the game. Early support includes titles from EA and Netmarble such as Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, FC Mobile, and Solo Leveling: Arise.
Additional Improvements
Enhanced Game Detail Pages now display event information, developer updates, and special offers, and will soon enable users to ask and answer questions directly on the page. The Play Games on PC service, which brings over 200,000 titles to Windows desktops, exits beta as part of the broader rollout.
Overall, the redesign expands the Play Store’s role beyond a simple app marketplace, positioning it as a comprehensive destination for apps, games, media, and personalized content powered by AI.