Google keeps experimenting with different UIs for their app suite, resulting in some interesting variations in the Google Play Store UI. Some interfaces stick, many don’t, but Google keeps toying around to see what works for user engagement.
The latest in these series of UI changes is how search results are displayed. Previously, searching for an app would bring out a list of results in equally sized list cards. With the new updated UI, the most likely search result is displayed first in a large card with compact information on the average star rating, number of ratings, approximate number of downloads and other icons indicating content rating and ‘Top Developer” status. You also get the app’s video preview as well as screenshots, all accessible from within the large card in the search results.
Side scrolling lists follow the main search result in the form of “You Might Also Like” and “Similar Apps”. The rest of the search results follow along after that in their simpler card format.
The new search UI does look helpful, but one can question its usability. If you know which app you are looking for and are familiar with its name and icon, you are more likely to click on the prompted instant search result and directly land onto the app main page. Search is more useful when you do not know what you are looking for, but the new updated UI does not make an appearance in such a scenario. So limiting an otherwise useful UI change to a specific but less-likely pattern of actions seems pointless.
What are your thoughts on the new Google Play Search UI? Has it rolled out to your device? Do you find it useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Thanks XDA Member -Deco-
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