Google Introduces ‘Shop’ Tab on Android TV for Easy Browsing and Purchasing

Google today announced a new “Shop” tab on Android TV to let users browse titles that are available to purchase and rent. The company is rolling out this feature on all Android TV devices in the U.S. starting today.

Google aims to enhance the user experience of Android TV by introducing a new “Shop” tab. This addition will enable users to browse a wide range of titles that are available for purchase and rental. This feature will be rolled out on all Android TV devices in the U.S., beginning today.

One of the key highlights of the new tab is the inclusion of a “Library” section. This section will display a carousel of thumbnails showcasing movies and TV shows that users have already purchased from platforms like Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, Google TV, and Android TV. This allows users to conveniently access content they already own.

Furthermore, Google offers users the option to buy titles directly from Android TV. To make the viewing experience more flexible, users can download the purchased content offline or stream it on another device using Google Play Movies & TV on their phone or tablet.

Google’s introduction of the “Shop” tab comes as a response to Amazon’s efforts in revamping its Prime Video platform. Amazon has placed greater emphasis on titles and channels that are available for purchase or rental. Google aims to enhance its services to compete effectively in this market.

While the new “Shop” tab is currently only available in the U.S., Google has plans to make it accessible to Android TV users worldwide within the next few weeks. This global expansion is expected to further widen the reach and usage of Android TV.

Google has been actively working on growing the Android TV ecosystem and has achieved significant milestones. As of last year, the company reported over 110 million monthly active Android TV devices. This signifies the growing popularity and acceptance of the platform among users.

Looking ahead, Google is also preparing to roll out Android 14 to Android TV devices. The beta version of the software reveals potential features such as a top-level accessibility menu that includes options like text scaling, bold text, and color description. This demonstrates Google’s commitment to continually improving and refining the Android TV experience.