Google overhauling the Android Market UI again

posted by Michael H. / Jul 12, 2011, 3:43 PM

Google overhauling the Android Market UI again

Google has unveiled a new UI for the Android Market that is set to roll out to Android 2.2+ phones over the next couple weeks. The UI changes are designed to make it easier to find new apps, movies and books, as well as to bring some of the features of the Android Market Web Store to phones.

The Market UI overhaul will bring a new homescreen with easy access to apps, games, movies, and books. When you begin to drill down, you'll find the usual Categories, Top Paid, Top Free, Top Grossing, and Just In lists that we've come to expect, but you'll also find easy access to an Editor's Choice list and Staff Picks.

The new UI also highlights Google's video and books stores, so you can rent video or buy books much easier. Google has also said that they have completely rebuilt the Market app, so the entire experience should be faster and more intuitive than before.

An interesting note that Google casually tossed into the preview video for the new Market is that Google is claiming their bookstore has the "largest collection of digital books" on your phone. Google is still claiming over 3 million books in their store, compared to just under 1 million in the Kindle store.

The Android Market update should automatically be pushed to your device (assuming you're running Android 2.2+) over the next couple weeks.

source: Google Mobile Blog

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37 Comments

1. andro unregistered

The android revolution continues....expect apple the sue or cry whichever first

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:20 PM 12

11. BobbyTaba

Posts: 316; Member since: Aug 11, 2010

Ya IOS is becoming old they need to renovate like android

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 5:45 PM 11

38. E.N.

Posts: 2610; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

I hope you guys realize its the same Android market. Same sucky applications, better UI. Yeah this is a total revolution. Everything is a revolution to Android users, kinda annoying

posted on Jul 13, 2011, 8:46 PM 0

2. GALAXY-S

Posts: 701; Member since: Jun 07, 2011

looks very nice

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:22 PM 5

3. Coolaaron88

Posts: 10; Member since: Jun 20, 2011

My HTC Hero will never see it, Market Fragmentation

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:25 PM 0

10. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

can you see the new(old) android market app? http://images.intomobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/android-market-redesign.jpg this old one works on 2.1 (motorola tested) so my guess will see it on devices with 2.1 too

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 5:22 PM 0

12. MichaelHeller

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

HTC Hero? Doesn't that mean you should be pretty close to upgrading time? That's about a 2 year old phone, right?

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 5:59 PM 2

4. Rotate

Posts: 26; Member since: Dec 07, 2010

kinda WP7-ish... but not bad :)

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:34 PM 9

14. MichaelHeller

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

I get the feeling we're gonna see a lot of unofficial sharing of ideas (some may call it copying) between Android, iOS, and WP7 from here on out.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 6:01 PM 1

28. xtremesv unregistered

Exactly, everybody imitates. The way Apple is bringing to the world its "new" notification system.. eerrr... copycat! That's why I think companies shouldn't be suing over UI designs, or worse, icons shapes!!!

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 11:29 PM 2

24. Paden

Posts: 262; Member since: Jul 07, 2011

Exactly what I was thinking... Loots VERY WP7ish.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 8:36 PM 3

35. iHateCrapple

Posts: 734; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

How are the prices? I know it's not like Android where theres a sh*t ton of free stuff, but I hope it's not like Apple either where your expected to pay top dollar for anything worth a damn.Damn...This was meant for comment #5...my bads.

posted on Jul 13, 2011, 6:11 PM 0

5. christianqwerty

Posts: 467; Member since: May 05, 2011

My windows phone 7 has the best app store , too bad there isn't alot of apps

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:37 PM 3

36. iHateCrapple

Posts: 734; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

How are the prices?

posted on Jul 13, 2011, 6:12 PM 0

6. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

Hey I love the set-up, it's way easier than before. Sure it looks a bit like Windows Phone 7, but it's a heck of a lot better than it was. I am stoked & very happy with the new Android Market.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:41 PM 3

7. AbsentbebniM unregistered

@Coolaaron88 There's always going to be a need for a cut-off point. Companies can't be expected to support legacy devices forever. Are you crying over your Windows 95 Pentium desktop not being able to run Windows 7 too? Or the recent termination of Xbox Live access for the original Xbox? The biggest difference here is that the software is left open for people who want to push their devices to the limit (http://theunlockr.com/downloads/android-downloads/android-roms/).

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 4:42 PM 2

8. bsbokc unregistered

Seriously am I the only one who thinks Google is now copying WP7 with the swiping side to side and the tiles look, atleast there is no one for Apple to sue lol

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 5:15 PM 1

16. skymitch89

Posts: 1453; Member since: Nov 05, 2010

Give Apple some time, I'm sure that they'll find something to sue over.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 6:03 PM 5

26. jura21

Posts: 30; Member since: Jun 20, 2011

swiping sides was present in android youtube app ever since Froyo(released before wp7)...so it cant really be accused of being a rip-off...

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 8:48 PM 2

9. Whateverman

Posts: 3295; Member since: May 17, 2009

I like this, but what I wish they would also consider adding is a short 10-20 second clip for games so you could really see it in action.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 5:18 PM 4

15. MichaelHeller

Posts: 2734; Member since: May 26, 2011

yeah, it's annoying that the Market website has had video previews since December, but they haven't brought the links to mobile.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 6:03 PM 2

13. skymitch89

Posts: 1453; Member since: Nov 05, 2010

I haven't gotten the update yet, but I don't think that I want to get it. I think that they should only change the UI when a new version of Android comes out, not every 3-6 months.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 6:01 PM 1

17. Thump3rDX17

Posts: 2160; Member since: May 10, 2010

sorry Microsoft but i'm glad we stole the look of your Market. you guys have a damn sexy UI and Google has done a good job copying it. ;D

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 6:19 PM 2

18. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

Now Taco...this is an example of Android evolving.

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 7:14 PM 6

19. box unregistered

I don't think we'll see Taco or Gemini or the-one-with-the-naked-guy-picture blind faces on this post, since their minds will probably be blown by something completely unknown and unfathomable to them: innovation and improvement of an existing concept

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 7:22 PM 9

21. iSheepHunter

Posts: 55; Member since: Jul 07, 2011

" the-one-with-the-naked-guy-picture" lmfao It's funny how evryone knows who they are and what they are infamous for.lol :)

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 8:13 PM 4

37. jbash

Posts: 345; Member since: Feb 07, 2011

just LOLed at work

posted on Jul 13, 2011, 6:28 PM 1

23. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

don't think its that good to do directly for them, I just makes you look like them... show them you are riding on a great boat and just let their mouth dig their graves

posted on Jul 12, 2011, 8:34 PM 0

32. iSheepHunter

Posts: 55; Member since: Jul 07, 2011

they o it with general android fan all the time. they are not gonna come to this article snyway. :P