Google Play boosts app discovery with Gemini integration and Play Shorts

Web Desk

May 20, 2026

Google is rolling out several new features to make finding apps, games, and entertainment content on Google Play easier and more engaging. Announced at I/O 2026, the updates lean heavily on AI and short-form video to help users explore new experiences faster.

Gemini app discovery

Google Play will soon be accessible directly from the Gemini app on Android and the web. This integration will let users discover apps without leaving Gemini, linking them quickly to relevant downloads and in-app content. Later this year, Gemini will expand its entertainment search capabilities to include more than 450,000 movies and TV titles, live sports listings, and direct links into app content — streamlining how users find what to watch and which apps to use to watch it.

Play Shorts: quick app previews

To give users a faster, more visual way to evaluate apps, Google is introducing Play Shorts — full-screen, portrait short videos inside the Play Store. These clips let people see apps in action and get a quick sense of gameplay, user interface, and features. Play Shorts are currently available to some developers and users in the United States, with a wider rollout planned.

Ask Play: conversational app search

Google is also launching Ask Play, a conversational AI that helps users find the right app by understanding questions and follow-ups. Ask Play aims to make search more intuitive, allowing shoppers to describe needs in natural language instead of relying solely on keywords.

Ask Play highlights and search summaries

Alongside conversational search, Ask Play highlights will provide concise summaries of complex queries directly on the results page. These summaries help users compare options and make decisions faster without digging through multiple pages.

Play Games Sidekick enhancements

For gamers, the Play Games Sidekick is receiving social updates. Players will be able to see which friends are playing the same games and track achievements more easily, making it simpler to connect, compete, and collaborate with others.

What this means for users and developers

These features combine AI-driven recommendations and short, engaging video to help users discover apps and content more quickly. For developers, Play Shorts and Gemini integration present new ways to showcase apps and engage potential users, while Ask Play can surface relevant apps through conversational queries.