Google’s new “Collections” feature promises to bring your favorite apps and their most engaging content just a tap away onto your home screen.
Unveiled at the Google I/O Developer Conference 2024 in May as an addition to its Android platform, Google aims to promote Android apps beyond the Play Store, enhancing user convenience and app discovery.
Collections is more or less a home screen widget powered by the Google Play Store that organizes app content into categories like Watch, Listen, Read, Games, Social, and Shop. Whether you’re looking to pick up where you left off with your latest Spotify playlist, finish an article on Reddit, or get back to an item you saved on Pinterest, “Collections” makes it effortless.
With over 35 developers already testing this feature, including big names like Spotify, TikTok, and Shopify, Google is betting on “Collections” to enhance user experience. The idea is simple: keep users engaged with their favorite apps without needing to dive deep into their app drawer.
Launching first in the U.S. later this year, “Collections” will gradually roll out to other regions. This new feature is expected to be accessible directly from a shortcut in the Play Store app, making it easy for users to start using it right away.
Developers can also benefit from this feature, as Google’s Engage SDK allows developers to integrate their apps with “Collections,” showcasing their best content and personalized promotions from the user’s home screen. This integration can boost user retention by making apps a more integral part of daily digital habits.
Looking forward, Google aims to expand “Collections” beyond its initial offering, potentially adding more categories and deeper integrations.