The Google Play Store has finally been updated for the first time in 3 months. The Google Play Store v4.6.16 brings along some awesome features like the ability to simultaneously install many apps i.e. batch install.
So what’s new in this Google Play Store update? Lets see.
Batch install
This is a simple feature which would still be very useful to most Android users. Basically, up till now, if you wanted to install more than one app at a time, you would have to first select that app and install it and then move on to the next one. Now actually you can select a multitude of apps together and push the install button on them simultaneously although, you would still have to accept/skip app permissions separately.
Removing apps
Earlier while removing apps, you would see an all button at the top. It has been removed and now the app permissions screen shows you just what you want and only the app you uninstalled disappears from the list.
New ‘Require password option
There has been a problem that has been plaguing users who have been using in app purchases. In case, your kid has access to these and your credit card is linked to the store, you can actually rake up quite a bill, if they don’t use it judiciously. Google has treated problem with a new option – it will now require the account password for purchases and not only every 30 minutes, rather you can keep this feature always on, which is advisable if you have kids.
Settings and help button
You can now find it in the slide-out navigation drawer. These options are there for not just the Google Play Store, but for every app you install.
Auto-add widgets shortcut renamed
The widget shortcut earlier was a bit confusing since, it did explain what widgets you were adding to your homescreen. It has been corrected now and asks simply if want too add the icon to your homescreen.
Google Play Store force self-update feature added
You can now force update the Google Play Store. All you need to do is tap the Build feature in the settings. This feature will be helpful installing Android updates and updating old Play Store versions.
App permissions screen now includes in app purchases
You can check whether you enabled in app purchases right in the App permissions pane. this will allow you to keep a check on in app purchases and come in handy if your kids have access to your account.
Google Plus +1 counts exactly visible
This is a feature which will be more helpful for app developers. Now, you would be able to how many people +1 an app and not just an estimate.
Continuous security verification
<string name=”package_malware_cancel”>”Don’t install”</string>
<string name=”package_malware_install”>Install anyway</string>
<string name=”package_malware_keep”>Keep anyway</string>
<string name=”package_malware_uninstall”>Uninstall</string>
<string name=”verify_app_removed_notification_title”>Uninstalled %1$s</string>
<string name=”verify_app_removed_notification_message”>”This app isn’t safe. Touch for details.”</string>
<string name=”verify_app_remove_request_notification_title”>You should uninstall %1$s</string>
<string name=”verify_app_remove_request_notification_message”>This app may be harmful. Touch for details.</string>
What you see here is a continuous security verification that Android has put in place. It is an important feature since Android has been quite plagued by malware in recent years.
New colorful buttons and layout
If you are sick of looking at the Grey notification buttons, you are not alone. Android has finally added colorful notification buttons.
Not only that, if you are using multiple accounts on your device, you can see a whole new layout.
File size history
- com.android.vending-4.0.27.apk 5.89 MB (6,181,458 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.1.6.apk 5.75 MB (6,036,474 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.1.10.apk 5.76 MB (6,040,792 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.2.3.apk 5.76 MB (6,046,580 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.2.9.apk 5.84 MB (6,129,144 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.3.10.apk 5.75 MB (6,036,657 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.3.11.apk 5.75 MB (6,038,575 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.4.21.apk 5.84 MB (6,126,172 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.4.22.apk 5.84 MB (6,126,834 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.5.10.apk 6.62 MB (6,951,714 bytes)
- com.android.vending-4.6.16.apk 6.21 MB (6,520,554 bytes)
Google will now show you a history of Play Store complete with file sizes.
Download
In case you don’t want to wait for Google to push the official update to your device, you can download the APK file here. It comes with a cryptographic signature to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with.
