It has now been a year since the old Android Market was rebranded as the much more all-encompassing Google Play Store, and to commemorate the occasion, the Big G is running a whole week of deals for its users.
The Android Market initially focused on bringing apps to the growing number of Android users, but as the array of content widened to include music, eBooks, and other such content, Google felt it better to rebrand its newly-focused entertainment hub.
Although the branding is never as important as the content itself, Google Play certainly works better than Android Market, and even though its has only been a year since the name change, it does feel as if it has always been called the Google Play Store.
As far as the giveaways go, content ranges from music downloads, travel bookings and new game features and in-app purchases, but Google has also suggested there may be offers in other areas. Whether this will stretch to the possibility of free apps remains to be seen, but if you’re an Android device user, it would be advisable to keep your eyes on the special promotion page over at the Play Store.
Since we don’t yet know the specifics of the promotional offers, it’s hard to tell whether it will be a worldwide event, or one specific only to certain nations. Smartphone and tablet users already have to deal with the oft frustrating fact that some hardware only releases in specific areas, so let’s hope the all-encompassing motif Google applied to its online store twelve months ago is also applicable to these deals.
Patting itself on the back, Google notes on the promo page:
It was just a year ago today that we launched this amazing shop on the interwebs to offer the best in digital content. Since the best parties are the ones that send you home with a present, today we celebrate our birthday with a festive goodie bag full of gifts.
With three quarters of a million apps now reportedly available over at the Play Store, it has been an inarguable success, and thus far, the only real digital content store to challenge the iTunes App Store in terms of diversity and sheer numbers in each respective field.
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