Google doubles down on entertainment, replaces Android Market with Google Play

Didn't see that one coming. Instead of giving up on its heretofore failed foray into music, books, and video, Google announced today it was combining all of its entertainment offerings into one site: Google Play:

Starting today, Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore will become part of Google Play. On your Android phone or tablet, we’ll be upgrading the Android Market app to the Google Play Store app over the coming days. Your videos, books and music apps (in countries where they are available) will also be upgraded to Google Play Movies, Google Play Books and Google Play Music apps. The music, movies, books and apps you’ve purchased will continue to be available to you through Google Play—simply log in with your Google account like always.

Despite being far-and-away the most popular part of the new service, Android apps are relegated to last place on the screen. The other items are not even available yet in most parts of the world (music is currently U.S. only, movies in the US, UK, Canada, and Japan, and books in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia). And don't even get me started on the prospect of selling serious business applications on something called the "Play Store".

Links to the Android Market are already being redirected to the new Google Play web site, and Google is rolling out updates to rebrand their apps on all Android devices running 2.2 and above. Developers should read the Google Play FAQ for Android Apps Developer page and the updated Android Branding Guidelines page.