Samsung is taking on Google Play with an updated, re-branded app store

Samsung has spent the last several years trying to separate itself from the rest of theAndroid pack. Of course, that was much to the chagrin of Google. And while the two apparently reached an agreement to reduce the amount of bloat and branded services, Sammie is quite ready to give up on building its own ecosystem just yet. The company announced a major redesign and rebranding of its own app store, which is now known as Galaxy Apps. The goal, according to WonPyo Hong, president of the media solution center at Samsung Electronics, is to provide “differentiated solutions and services.” And that including delivering “hundreds of apps exclusively available to users of Samsung Galaxy mobile devices.” Though, what compelling apps are included in that and whether or not anyone will use them is still not exactly clear.

Samsung has updated and rebranded its app store, in an attempt to increase it’s share of the lucrative Android apps market, which is currently dominated by Google Play. Samsung’s new Galaxy Apps store offers “hundreds of apps exclusively available to users of Samsung Galaxy mobile devices”, the company said in a blog post. It also features apps that will allow greater customisation of mobile devices, and will function as a platform to offer various promotions and discounts. “At Samsung, we continuously strive to create value for our customers by providing differentiated solutions and services coupled with innovative devices,” said WonPyo Hong, president of the media solution center at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung Galaxy Apps is an extension of that promise, as it offers our customers exclusive apps to enrich their experience.” The Galaxy Apps store has a simplified user interface comprised of three sections: ‘Best Picks’, ‘Top’, and ‘For Galaxy’. Best Picks allows users to find recommended apps and promotions, while ‘Top’ showcases the most popular apps which can be viewed according to their popularity, date, and price. For Galaxy includes up to four sections: Galaxy Gifts for premium apps, Galaxy Essentials for ‘must-have’ apps, Apps for Professionals for business apps and Galaxy Specials for apps created using Samsung software development kits. Samsung Galaxy Apps will eventually be available to over 130 million users across 161 countries around the world.