Google Play is offering discounts on apps, games, movies, and more

By Christian de Looper Published December 20, 2018

There are a ton of deals for phones, computers, and more, for the end of the year — but Google wants in on the fun, so it has announced some pretty great deals for Google Play, too. So, if you’re looking for some new movies, apps, games, or books to download to your phone, then now might well be the time to buy.

The deals span a range of genres on the Play Store. You’ll be able to find deals on some of the year’s best movies, as well as some of the coolest apps and games. Game deals are actually split up into two weeks, so if you don’t find anything you like in the first week of deals, wait a week and you might find something in the second week. The deals run from now until January 2, and while we’re not sure exactly how discounted some of these products are, they’re at least worth checking out.

Recommended Videos

So what, in particular, can you get discounts on? Well, let’s start with the games. During the first week, you’ll be able to get big discounts on in-app purchases in games like Clash Royale, Pokemon Go, Empires & Puzzles, and Lineage 2. Week two brings discounts to other apps, including Candy Crush Friends Saga, PUBG, and Marvel Contest of Champions.

There are discounts on subscriptions within some great apps, too. In particular, you’ll be able to get “big discounts” on HBO and Starz subscriptions, as well as subscriptions to image editing app Picsart and music streaming service TuneIn. These discounts are only for first-time subscribers, so if you already subscribe you won’t be able to take advantage of the lower prices.

Some great movies have been discounted as well. Movies like Crazy Rich Asians, The Meg, and Adrift are all a little cheaper for rentals, while if you want to buy a movie you can get John Wick and The Predator cheaper. For TV shows, you’ll be able to get some seasons for $15, while some individual episodes are available for as little as 99 cents. Included in those deals are the likes of Doctor Who season 11, Game of Thrones season 1, and Legion season 2.

Last but not least are books, and some have been discounted by up to 80 percent. Titles include Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan, and Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover.

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…

Topics

Mobile

Here’s how your Android phone could help stop your motion sickness

Someone holding the Google Pixel 9 with the screen on.

Motion sickness — also called kinetosis — is a common problem. In fact, as many as one in three people have felt sick while in a vehicle. For those who suffer from it, reading in the car is practically impossible.

Apple introduced a feature that helps those prone to motion sickness use their phones without the accompanying nausea. Now, Google is working on a similar feature for Android phones.

Mobile

Your Google Maps app is about to look different. Here’s what’s changing

Screenshot of the new teal color in the Google Maps app.

If you own an Android device such as a Samsung Galaxy S24 or Google Pixel 9 Pro, there is a small design update coming to the Google Maps app that aims to enhance its visual appearance and user experience. The app will be adopting a new interface color scheme, which could make navigation and interaction feel fresher.

As first reported by 9to5Google, Google Maps is set to change its signature blue accent for buttons and other user interface elements to a dark shade of teal.

Mobile

The YouTube mobile app is getting a small redesign. Here’s what’s changing

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 playing a YouTube video.

How do you feel about the YouTube app on iOS and Android? Most of us use the app and don't think twice about it, but YouTube announced a lot of changes in October. Some of these planned updates have begun to roll out, and they're worth paying attention to — especially because one of them is difficult to notice. The updated bottom bar is a subtle change, but it adds a bit of flair.

The updated bottom bar is part of a server-side update, which means you don't have to download a new version of YouTube to see it. However, you should ensure you're using the latest version of the YouTube app. For Android, that's 19.47, and it's 19.49 for iOS. The update hasn't reached all devices yet — I still don't see it on my own phone — but it should be applied by the end of the day.