In a significant development for users of Google Play, the newly introduced “Collections” widget is now rolling out more broadly across the United States. This feature, announced last week, aims to enhance user experience by providing tailored content recommendations directly from the Play Store.
Widget Features and Layout Options
The Play Store has introduced two distinct widget options, each designed to cater to different user preferences. The smaller version appears as a sleek bar, while the larger configuration occupies the entire screen, offering a pseudo-navigation rail. This expansive layout grants users quick access to various categories, including Watch, Game, Read, Listen, Food, Shop, and Social.
Upon tapping the widget, users are greeted with a dedicated fullscreen experience filled with an array of card carousels. At the bottom of each feed lies an app tray, facilitating seamless navigation through the recommended content.
One standout feature is the “App library,” which functions as an alternative app launcher. This library organizes apps into folders for Top Used and Recently Added, with additional categories displayed below for easy access.
Content Recommendations Across Categories
The Collections widget serves as a gateway to a consolidated feed of content recommendations tailored to individual user preferences. For instance, YouTube Music users can find sections such as Continue Listening, Your Shows (podcasts), Mixed for You, and Similar to [artist] under the Listen category.
In the Watch section, Google TV users can explore various genres, while YouTube presents content from subscriptions and trailers. The Read category features a Continue Reading option from Play Books, alongside title suggestions based on past reading habits.
Food enthusiasts will appreciate nearby recommendations from Google Maps, complemented by cooking and recipe videos sourced from YouTube. Additionally, users of social platforms like Reddit will find a carousel showcasing content from their feeds within the Social category.
Supported Apps and Customization Options
Currently, a diverse range of apps supports the Collections feature, having integrated with the Engage SDK. Users have the flexibility to customize their experience by turning off entire feeds or disabling individual apps. This can be done through the full Collections interface by tapping the profile avatar in the top-right corner and accessing the Collections settings.
- Game: Play Store, YouTube
- Food: Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’, Maps, Play Store, Uber Eats, YouTube
- Listen: Audible, GoodFM, iHeart, Kobo Books, Play Books, Spotify, YT Music
- Read: AlphaNovel, Audible, Blinkist, GoodFM, Kobo Books, Play Books, Wattpad
- Shop: Adidas, AliExpress, ASOS, Best Buy, FARFETCH, Home Depot, Play Store, Sam’s Club, Shop, Walmart, Wish
- Social: Nextdoor, Pinterest, Play Store, Reddit, Tumblr
- Watch: ABC, Amazon Freevee, BET NOW, BET+, Boomerang, Brown Sugar, Cartoon Network, Cooking Channel, Crackle, Crunchyroll, CW Network, Discovery+, Disney NOW, Disney+, Food Network, Fox Nation, Fox News, Globoplay, Haystack Network, Hulu, KOCOWA, Max, MGM+, Movies Anywhere, MUBI, NBC, Paramount+, Peacock, Philo, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, Red Bull TV, Sling TV, Starz, Travel Channel, Tube TV, VH1, Viki, Watch TBS, Watch TNT, XUMO, ZEE5.
