How Google’s Play Store lost its magic
Google’s Play Store used to be a exciting place where I spend hours on end, installing and uninstalling so many apps. It was a place where I can, easily and frequently, discover new gems I didn’t even know I wanted. It was magic.
Today, however, this rarely happens; the PS is just where I go to update my already installed apps. And most of those were discovered somewhere else — HN, PH, …
What has changed? The Play Store’s Home screen.
Once upon a time, just landing on the Store’s front page was a sure fire way to be blown away with the diversity and richness of the Android ecosystem, and with the multitude of interesting apps.
Today, except for a small raw of real applications, the whole screen is filled with games … even though there a whole games tab dedicated just for that! You might think that this would probably be the case because I just keep installing games. The problem is, during the so many years with Android, I only downloaded three games! And it was many years ago. So why am I bombarded with stuff I won’t download?
My theory is that a huge proportion of my fellow country-people enjoy themselves with so many games and, as such, Google decided that I must be enjoying them too. Which is a horrible idea!
And to add insult to injury, all this sh*t is grouped under the tab “for you”. Srsly, Google Play Apps & Games Team?
Until Google maybe finds a way to restore its Store’s glory, it is, to me, an update station. Just that.
