GDC: Android Market redesigned as Google Play

A new consolidated media hub called Google Play has replaced the search engine giant’s Android Marketplace service.

From today, Android smartphones will connect to the Google Play store when their users choose to go shopping.

Google Play also combines several other entertainment services into its online network, such as books, music and movies.

The service is elementally Google’s fully-branded alternative to iTunes, accessible to most existing Android devices.

Purchased games will automatically be carried over between services, Google said.

The announcement comes hours after it was revealed the maximum data capacity for Android apps has enlarged to 4GB, up significantly from 50MB.

Google said in a statement that its consolidated media service was “eliminating all the hassle” of keeping on top of diverse media libraries.

“This new service is entirely cloud-based so all your music, movies, books and apps are stored online, always available to you, and you never have to worry about losing them or moving them again,” the company added.

“Your videos, books and music apps, in countries where they are available, will also be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps."

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