Android Market joins Google\'s new \'Play\'

Google has opened a brand new online shop stocked with digital music, films, books and 'apps' for Android mobile gadgets, ramping up its challenge to rivals equivalent to Apple and Amazon.com.

The California internet titan combined Android Market, Google Music and Google eBookstore in a Google Play "digital entertainment destination" where people can get content and store it free inside the 'cloud.' Google Music isn't yet available to New Zealand.

"You'll find, enjoy and share your favourite music, movies, books and apps on the internet and to your Android phone or tablet," Google director of digital content Jamie Rosenberg said in a blog post.

"Google Play is entirely cloud-based so all of your music, movies, books and apps are stored online, always available to you, and also you never should worry about losing them or moving them again."

People can file away as many as 20,000 songs for free at Google Play, where millions of tunes can be available for purchase, in accordance with Rosenberg.

Google Play may also be home to greater than 450,000 downloadable mini-programs, or "apps," for Android smartphones or tablets. It is going to also boast movie rentals and the world's largest choice of electronic books.

Digital content made available on the online shop will vary dependent on distribution rights worked out in various countries, consistent with Google, in order to promote the transformed Android Market with discounts.

"Our long-term goal is to roll out as many differing kinds of content as possible to people all over the world, and we'll keep adding new content," Rosenberg said.

Google Play applications would be "pushed out" to gadgets in the course of the coming days to exchange Android Market software.

Google's move appeared geared toward consolidating fun, hip or functional software or content for smartphones or tablets running on its Android operating systems.

Availability of appealing apps besides music, movies and tv programs is significant to the recognition of gadgets akin to Apple iPads and iPhones, consistent with analysts.

- AFP