Google Plans To Update Android Market

by Jennifer Johnson — Friday, May 13, 2011, 01:14 PM EDT

Google's Android Market has grown tremendously and has surpassed the 200,000-application mark recently. With the vast number of applications available, however, it's becoming harder and harder for consumers to sort through these apps to find the best of the best.

Google understands this and has plans to help applications stand out in the crowd with a refresh to the Android Market. In the coming weeks, Android devices should receive an update to the Market. The web-based version will also get an update. On the Web-based Android Market, you'll see five new categories to help you sort through applications: Top Apps, Editor's Choice, Top Developers, Related Apps, and Trending Apps.

The Android Market application on handsets is getting overhauled. The current three-column view will be replaced with colorful panels that promote top apps and popular downloads. The new Android Market app will also let developers selectively target devices. In other words, developers will be able to hide their applications from devices with older versions of Android or form factors that won't work with their applications.

Tags: Android, App Store, Google, Android Market

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer grew up around technology. From an early age, she was curious about all things related to computers. As a child, Jennifer remembers spending nights with her dad programming in BASIC and taking apart hard drives to see what was inside. In high school, she wrote her senior term paper on her experiences with building custom computers.

Jennifer graduated from the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After college, she began writing full-time for various PC and technology magazines. Later, she transitioned to the Web. In these roles, Jennifer has covered a variety of topics including laptops, desktops, smartphones, cameras, tablets, and various consumer electronics devices. When she's not playing with or writing about the latest gadget, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family, capture memories with her camera, and scrapbook.

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