Google Play Store To Be Re-Branded As “Google Store”?

“Google Store” probably just doesn’t sound right to most long-term Android fans, but a recent story on the subject suggests the Google Play Store might be changing its name. After Google was reorganized under the name Alphabet Inc. by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the company caused a huge furor over the Google logo redesign. Now, it appears that more changes are in the works for the tech giant. A reader of Android news site Droid-Life noticed that their phone had switched over from the old Play Store logo to the new Google Store decal after the server refreshed itself.

While the news may not seem earth-shattering, it could potentially suggest a re-branding of other Google apps and products as well. Most companies would likely not re-brand their image without a plan in place, and it definitely seems as if Google’s founders have a solid idea of where they want to take the company.

Google Founder Larry Page told CNET that Alphabet Inc. represents a “newer, more slimmed down” version of Google and allows Google’s upper management to focus on a wider variety of ideas and industries. Chances are pretty good the new name for the Google (Play) Store means a new direction for the company, as there is an official Twitter account touting itself as the new home for Google’s products. The new Twitter account also bears the new Google Store logo.

Check out the latest devices from Google. http://t.co/IufMas4upB pic.twitter.com/fX2CobRQ8s

— Google Store (@GoogleStore) September 29, 2015

In addition to the new Google Store name and logo, Google has introduced several new products with perfect timing for the new look. For starters, there’s ChromeCast Audio, a headphone-looking device which lets users cast music and movies to their TV or phone speakers. The new Nexus 5X phone and Nexus 6P phablets recently came out as well. These devices will run the newest version of Google’s Android OS, nicknamed “Marshmallow.” PC-Tablet mentioned that the new Nexus phone models are available for purchase on the Google Store now.

Google is touting the new Google Store as a place where visitors can learn about and purchase Android devices and explained that the Play Store will now only sell the digital content such as Apps, Movies, and Games that users download onto their devices. Essentially, the Google Store is for hardware and the Google Play Store is for software.

The decision to have two different stores with relatively similar purposes may seem baffling at first glance, especially when Google Store users will not be able to use their credit from the old Play Store towards content on the new. However, Google has never before had features that will let users buy hardware directly from their phones, and the new Google Store may make it easier to manage and track user purchases. This may give Google better insight to what products and methods their customers prefer, which is quite clearly good for the new incarnation’s business model.

Perhaps it’s too early to surmise why Alphabet will be making the migration to the new Google Store, but chances are the company has its reasons. Along with the new logo, there is likely a new brand perception that Alphabet wants us to have in our heads when we think of Google; though that perception is unclear at the moment, it will likely be revealed in the coming weeks. If you want the latest version of the Google App (for either iOS or Android devices), you can pop on over to either the iTunes Store or Google Play Store respectively and grab it now. Stay tuned for more updates about the Play Store and Android as the information becomes available.

[Image Credit: Pocketnow.com]