Google to revamp Android Market app for smartphones

Google is to launch a redesigned version of the Android Market mobile app, allowing users to purchase books and rent films directly from a mobile device.

Visual changes start from the home screen, which now comes with dedicated panels showing the best apps, games, books and movie titles.

The key addition in terms of functionality is the ability to rent films and buy books without the need to sync to a PC. Films will be made available to watch offline, but at present the renting service will be available only to US subscribers.

Google confirmed plans to roll out the service to other major markets, so it should be expected in the UK at some point.

The company also claims that there are over three million digital books available directly from the Android Market.

The redesign will be rolled out to devices running Android 2.2 in the coming weeks, and should benefit users and developers, explained Eric Chu, mobile platforms programme manager at Google.

"The new Market client is designed to better showcase top apps and games, engage users with an improved interface, and provide a quicker path to downloading or purchasing products," Chu said in the Android Developers Blog.

"For developers, the [upgraded] Android Market client means more opportunities for your products to be merchandised and purchased."

Google will also allow developers to link to a product video which is displayed at full screen in landscape orientation to help promote the app, Chu added.

The  revamp is unsurprising and will enable Google-based devices to compete with Apple's successful direct delivery service model, which allows iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users to download content.

Other smartphone manufacturers are also rolling out similar services, and HTC debuted HTC Watch on the Flyer tablet, a service that allows users to stream films directly to their device.

A preview of the revamped Android Market is available to view below: