Google Play: What it is, why it’s important, and what it needs to succeed

Google has been slowly moving into digital content distribution services for a little over a year now. The last update to the Android Market included the integration of Google Music, Google Video, and Google Books. The services, in the countries they are available in, are even available on the android market website, and included the ability to purchase any content and have it exist anywhere. The services were sort of bolted on, and many felt offered as a consolation prize for users who were willing to accept Google as their one and only. The package was a distant third behind iTunes and Amazon, who were both offering similar services for their platforms.