play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.videos&hl=en_US
Google is an institution that hardly needs introduction. More than merely a website, Google is all but an institution of 21st-century life. Who does not frequent one of Google's sites or apps on a daily basis? Whether you are seeking out the answer to some piece of trivia that won't let you rest until you learn the answer, or you are checking your Gmail account, or you are collaborating for work on Google Drive? There is no avoiding one of the most pervasive tech companies in the world.
What facets of our lives have Google not put their stamp on yet? They seem to have a hand in smartphones, music, movies, social media, TV, email, and work. The list goes on and on. SEO is what's referred to as changing one's language to better suit the will of Google. If that isn't power, what is?
This is not a complaint, far from it? Google has made my life so much easier. I say all this merely to demonstrate the myriad ways in which Google has had an impact on our daily lives. So, of course, this company that has affected every aspect of our lives would also offer one of the most widely used premium movie and TV streaming apps on the market. Google Play is a behemoth of a marketplace in and of itself, and the specific branch of Google Play that is dedicated to movie and TV streaming is yet another high-quality, top-notch, beloved arm of the machine.
However, if you are looking for an app that offers a large selection of movies and TV shows to rent or buy, and has some fantastic features like the ability to Chromecast content, then Google Play Movie, and TV is definitely worth considering.
How does the Google Play Movie and TV app truly stack up against the competition? Sure, Google is known for creating premium products in general, but does Google Play Movie, and TV really hold a candle to say, Netflix or Amazon Prime Video? Well, first off, it is important to note that if you are looking for a premium streaming app that offers a library of titles for you to stream on-demand - you are barking up the wrong tree. However, if you are looking for an app that offers a large selection of movies and TV shows to rent or buy (and has some fantastic features like the ability to Chromecast content), then Google Play Movie & TV is definitely worth considering.
Google Play Movie and TV operates in a different way from most premium streaming apps in that movies and shows that can be watched are only those that are rented or purchased. This means that, unfortunately, you cannot have access to hundreds of movies and shows through Google Play Movie and TV like you can with Hulu or Disney Plus simply by paying a monthly fee.
That is, according to my opinion, the biggest downside of this app. But, then again, it may be more your style to just watch a certain movie and not mind paying out of pocket each time. Google Play Movies and TV does have one of the largest libraries of any streaming service out there.
However, in terms of all of the other components that you must consider when evaluating a premium streaming app, Google Play Movies and TV definitely seems to meet every requirement. However, we will elaborate more on each facet in a moment. For now, let's talk about how Google Play Movies and TV was born, grew, and expanded into one of the best streaming services out there.
History
In January of this year, Google Play Movies and TV reached Japan.
Google launched their movie streaming app, Google Movies, in May of 2011. However, it was not rebranded under the Google Play umbrella until March 2012. As quickly as it was available in the US, Google Play Movies and TV also grew more gradually internationally than most streaming apps tend to have. They began their expansion into Korea in September 2012, growing into Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain in October of that year. The rollout continued at this pace throughout 2013 and 2014 with expansions into a few more countries each month. In January of this year, Google Play Movies and TV reached Japan.
Design
I appreciate the way that Google Play Movies and TV looks - it has a sleek, professional look that is both minimalistic and flashy. It's paradoxical, but somehow this app has pulled it off. What I mean is that the design of the app is sparse, with clean lines - and a classy look - but there is still plenty of content to find?and it isn't overwhelming.
The app's discover mode is helpful, smoothly allowing you to browse titles by genre. Simply click on your genre of choice from a scrollable selection oftags at the top. Then just scroll to your movie's content. Once you find a title that catches your eye, just click on it and check out the title's credit info, view a trailer, and view rental and purchaseoptions. You can also "like" or "dislike" movies and shows, adding them to playlists, which is a very convenient and useful feature. This is also how Google Play Movies and TV will know what torecommend to you in the future.
It is recommended that all premium streaming apps take notes on how Google Play Movie and TV excels in terms of user-friendliness, sleek and professional design, and useful features. In terms of usability, this is what a streaming app should look like.
Content
Pretty much any movie or TV show can be found on Google Play Movies and TV, as long as the movie or show you are looking for is at least somewhat well-known. I will say that, as a big fan of indie films, so long as I have been using the Google Play Movies and TV app, I have never had an issue with not being able to find a specific title. Of course, Google will have to have the rights to the movie or show in order to make it available, but even if this app does not happen to have a movie or show that you are looking for, it will point you toward a site or streaming service that does.
According to Google, the majority of content on this app is available to stream in high definition. And, as of December 2016, many of them can be viewed in 4K Ultra HD.
Devices
Google Play Movies and TV is available on many devices. Android devices, Apple devices, and some smart TVs are all compatible. However, the service is not available on gaming consoles like Xbox or PlayStation.
Pricing and Plans
To summarize, Google Play Movies and TV do not have a monthly subscription option. This is a bit of a bummer for some as it would allow them to have access to a baseline library of movies and shows that they could stream at their convenience. Personally, I would rather pay a certain amount to Google per month in order to have this feature, but unfortunately it is not available.
When downloading the Google Play Movies and TV app, you won't have to immediately pay a cent. You can begin browsing their library of thousands of titles for free. Once you find something that you want to watch, though, you will have to pay to stream it. Some titles can be rented or purchased; others can only be rented; others still can only be bought outright. Purchases, of course, can also be downloaded to your device and viewed offline.
Suggestions that I have for Google Play Movies and TV App
I would like to see a version of Google Play Movies and TV that offers a baseline streaming service, with a sizable library of movies and shows that are available without the individual rental or purchase price. I would not mind at all paying a certain amount per month for something more like a Prime Video service, where I can rent or buy titles as well as stream select movies and shows on-demand.
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