
Google is launching a new online store today to showcase “all the latest products made with Google.” The new
Google Store, instead of the
Play Store, will
now become the central spot for buying Google-centric hardware like
Google’s own Nexus phones, Android Wear and Nest devices, Chromebooks
from Google and its partners, as well as accessories, cases, keyboards
and chargers.
The Play Store remains the hub for buying content for these devices,
but the hardware from Google and its partners will now only be available
in the new Google Store. For the time being, Google will offer free
shipping for all purchases, too (but only if you choose the slowest
shipping option).
If you made any hardware purchases in the Play Store, all of that
information will be automatically transferred to the Google Store.
Google says it’s making this change because “as we’ve added more
products to the family, we thought it was time to make it easier for you
to learn more about them.” The hardware section was always somewhat
hidden in the Play Store and felt out of place among the mobile apps,
movies and magazines.