Google taps search to recommend apps

Helping out developers to get more eyes on their apps, Google is using its search engine to suggest apps to users. If you type something in search, they'll prompt you to install a certain app that can help fulfill the need or at least assist you with the search term. Once you install the app, you'll be redirected in the app to what you wanted to do on the web. For example, you're searching for a restaurant, Google might recommend OpenTable for you. Once installed, you'll be redirected to the reservation page of said restaurant. Developers can check out how they can be part of this implementation in the link below. 

Source: Google | Via: PCWorld 

Google now reviews apps before they’re put up on Play Store

As a US$7 billion-plus market, it’s no wonder Google is policing apps now with a new review and rating system. Much like what Apple does when it comes to the App Store, Google now reviews apps before they get put up on the Play Store to make sure no malware or any bad apps get put up. The search giant is also introducing a new rating system to help developers better target the users they want as well as help parents police children when it comes to apps that they can or can’t use. Google has partnered with several independent bodies to help rate ads. They’re working with the likes of ESRB, USK, PEGI, the Australian Classification Board, and ClassInd. Countries not covered by those rating boards will get a generic age-based rating.

Developers are going to be asked to answer content rating questionnaires. If they don’t choose to comply, they might be banned from certain regions or from specific users. Beginning in May, all new apps and updates will have to go through the questionnaire before they can get published.

Source: Android Developers

Moto 360 makes appearance in Google Play Store Canada

Joining countries in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK), Canada will be getting the Motorola Moto 360 through Google’s Play Store real soon. It has shown up to be available in the aforementioned countries based on the support page. The tech giant may have updated the page before it is actually out though because it is still listed as coming soon. At least we get the heads up that it is arriving soon. So, if you’ve been waiting for Google to stock this baby (if you haven’t gotten it through Motorola yet). Your wait is almost over.

Source: Google | Via: Android Police

Google gets rid of user testimonials on Play Store

Google updated its Play Store guidelines for developers to ban them from including customer testimonials in the app or game description portion. They want to make sure it takes out any misleading or irrelevant keywords that might affect relevancy and ranking. They want Android users instead to speak about the apps or games through the Play’s comment review system.

Source: Google | Via: Cult of Android