Google is working on a Download Buddy for the Play Store

Google ensures that the Play Store interface is constantly evolving, so everything always looks fresh and new whenever you consider installing an app. As most Android users already know, Google is always looking ahead to a fault, aiming for the next big thing and the latest catchy features. After months of digging into code and discovering hidden flags in the app, Android researcher discovered AssemblyDebug has revealed several upcoming changes noticed during the development of the Play Store app.

Google Play Store Cubes is a feature shrouded in secrecy. As reported The SP Android, this mysterious feature has been in the works since January 2023 and initially appeared as just a skeletal UI. However, in the months that followed, things evolved. Now it includes a widget and a set of category icons for various apps and games, such as food, social, music, videos and more. These ‘cubes’ can serve as a central hub for discovering new content across different categories, giving users a curated experience. Still, the details of this feature remain largely speculative.

While Cubes retains its enigmatic nature, Download Buddy is simpler. This feature, which is still in development, promises to improve the user experience during app downloads. When hitting the to install button for an app, a movable floating down arrow appears on the side of the screen. This bubble displays download progress so users no longer have to return to the home screen or app list page. It is a simple, but mainly user-oriented function.

The SP Android has also found more evidence of the filter chips we noted earlier, which let you browse the Play Store for device compatibility with the aim of letting you remotely trigger app installs on your tablet, watch, TV or other device. from your phone. In addition to minor UI changes noted during development, work has also begun on the Open App Reminders feature, which notifies users of apps they haven’t opened for a certain period of time. This resonates with an older feature from 2019, when the Play Store started suggesting users delete unused apps, making it easier for them to clean up their devices.

While some of these features may seem mundane, they all point to Google’s commitment to refining the Play Store experience, both in terms of user interaction and monetization. Parallel to these new additions, the Play Store has witnessed changes on the advertising front. At the end of last year, app promos started popping up in search results. Initially pitched as relevant suggestions, these were turned into clearly labeled ads in April. Post-install ads became more aggressive in May, and recently Google even started hiding the install button from some search results, inadvertently giving ads more visual attention.

The Play Store landscape is constantly changing. Whether these shifts are user-centric, monetization strategies, or a combination of both, Android enthusiasts will certainly be keeping a close eye on developments in anticipation of the day these features become a reality.