Android Market redesign coming soon, bringing Books and Movies to US phones

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Android Market redesign coming soon, bringing Books and Movies to US phones

July 12, 2011 | by Tony Price

Android, Android Apps, Android News

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Google has announced that yet another update to the Android Market is on its way to phones with Android 2.2 or higher. This update will bring video rental and book purchasing to phones in the US. While these features were stated as limited to the US, the market update will be international.

We first heard about Google renting movies on the web and tablets a few months ago, and it has been a waiting game as to when that feature would come to phones. Through a separate Videos app, US customers will be able to rent and stream movies on the go. You can also download those movies to you device for viewing offline.

US customers will also be getting access to the Google Books store. It will work much like the Kindle app, with cross device syncing and availability. These are downloaded to your device as well.

Google also says they have overhauled the market, making it “faster, easier and more fun” to get your apps, movies, and books. They say there will be more lists with fresher content and the most interesting content of the week on the homepage. They also promise the inclusion of staff picks and editors choice apps in the market app.

The new update will be coming to phones worldwide in the coming week. You will need Android 2.2 to get the new market app. In order to get the Videos app and to buy books, you need to be a customer in the United States. In order to do either, you will need the market update. If you want to hear more, check out the video below.

If you can’t wait for the update to come, you can grab the APK from XDA. Thanks to Ricardo for the link!

via Google Android Developers

7 Comments

Ricardo Moura Rocha said: On July 12, 2011

Nice, I want it now!!
anyone has the apk already??
My recent post Now the real fun starts!

@burnayev said: On July 12, 2011

Yeah, looks like Google took a clue from Windows Phone (let's call it this way).

Browsing through the apps seems to be much more meaningful – there's a chance an average user will go beyond the top 20.

It's very good that it'll only work on Android 2.2 and up as it'll facilitate phasing out the previous versions of Android.

Borys Burnayev
actioncomplete.com
GTD for Android and Web
My recent post ActionComplete for Web Adds Recurring Tasks, Enhances Email Integration

Ricardo Moura Rocha said: On July 12, 2011

Here is the apk http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=15…
My recent post Now the real fun starts!

- Tony Price said: On July 12, 2011
  
  Thanks for the tip. I updated the post.
  
  - Ricardo Moura Rocha said: On July 12, 2011
    
    No problem, glad I could help!
    My recent post New Android Market app
    
HybridMode said: On July 13, 2011

Now if they could just take a clue from Apple and make Tablet apps more easier to find.

David said: On August 24, 2011

Sorry but link to APK doesn't work anymore

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