Google Unveils AI-Powered Redesign of Play Store for Personalized User Experience and Enhanced Gaming Features
Google unveiled a series of updates for the Play Store on Tuesday, aimed at enhancing user experience and boosting engagement. The revamped platform will introduce a redesigned Apps tab, a transformed Play Games experience, and a new tab dedicated to personalized content based on users’ interests, among other features powered by Gemini AI.
The updates are an extension of recent additions designed to position the Play Store as a comprehensive destination. For instance, a tab showcasing streaming options for popular shows and Collections organizing favorite apps and games into categories like shop, watch, and listen have already been implemented. Google Play Games VP and General Manager Aurash Mahbood explained the rationale behind these changes during a press briefing.
“Google Play serves as a crucial gateway for over 4 billion users to access apps, games, books, movies, TV shows, and culturally relevant content,” said Mahbood. “Our goal is to facilitate meaningful interactions between users and content that cater to their needs and preferences.”
The updated platform will leverage AI technology in various aspects, including a new search function dubbed Guided Search. This feature allows users to discover apps or games by typing in objectives or ideas rather than specific app names. For example, users seeking home-related apps can type “find a home” to be directed accordingly.
The revamped Apps tab will incorporate dedicated spaces for seasonal topics and content tailored to individual interests. These sections may draw from multiple apps, Google revealed. In the U.S., WNBA-related content will be featured in these areas initially.
This expansion follows the introduction of curated spaces in India and Japan, which focused on regional interests such as cricket and comics respectively. South Korean users can anticipate a new video content-focused curated space, offering a mix of movies, TV shows, short-form videos, and serialized stories. Google highlighted that short-form content is the most commonly consumed media format on smartphones.
A newly introduced You tab aims to encourage frequent user interaction with the Play Store. It will serve as a central hub for managing subscriptions, rewards, recommendations, statistics, and updates. The tab will also provide tailored recommendations for movies, shows, podcasts, ebooks, or audiobooks, making it easier for users to resume previously engaged media.
Gamers will benefit from an upgraded gamer profile within the You tab, featuring consolidated stats and achievements across games and devices. These profiles can now be personalized with a Gen AI avatar.
In addition to these enhancements, new features for gamers will roll out following the launch of the new Games app that accompanied Apple’s iOS 26 release. The revamped Games tab will consolidate stat and achievement tracking, rewards, and community interactions into one platform. Play Games Leagues will enable users to compete with friends for Play Points rewards, beginning with a league dedicated to Subway Surfers from October 10 through October 23.
The most intriguing update is the integration of the AI-powered Play Games Sidekick, an in-game overlay providing real-time assistance from Gemini Live. Users can seek guidance or tips when they encounter challenges within games, leveraging the latest Gemini audio-to-audio model to understand gaming context and deliver prompt responses and encouragement.
The Sidekick will also aggregate relevant gaming information in one place, enabling users to remain immersed in their gameplay experience. Initially, the feature will be supported by games from EA and Netmarble, including Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, FC Mobile, and Solo Leveling: Arise.
Lastly, enhanced Game Detail Pages will showcase information about the title, including ongoing events, developer updates, and offers. Next month, gamers will be able to pose questions and share answers on this page, fostering a community of assistance among players.
The Google Play Games for PC offering, which brings over 200,000 titles to Windows desktops, is exiting beta today, according to Google.
