Skip to main content

Now’s a good time to buy from Google: Get $50 in Play Store credit with your new device

NEXUS 6 back angle 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Just last week, Google moved all its devices over to a new dedicated store, with the exception of the Nexus 5. Sure, that casualty hit some people right where it hurts, but Google hopes to make amends by offering $50 in Google Play credit.

In order to nab the credit, you’ll need to purchase a Nexus 6, Nexus 9, or Android Wear device by March 31. Once your new device ships, you’ll receive an email with the promo code for $50 in Google Play credit. You can use the credit to purchase movies, music, games, and apps, but keep in mind it won’t work with anything in the new Google Store for devices.

The credit does have an expiration date, however, as you’ll need to add it to your Google Wallet account by April 20, and use the credit by September 1.

In addition, Google slashed the price of the Sony SmartWatch 3 by $50, bringing it down to $200. Even with the discount, it’s eligible for the $50 Google Play credit promotion. El Goog also offers the Asus ZenWatch, Motorola Moto 360, LG G Watch R, LG G Watch, and the Samsung Gear Live in its new store, but none of them have gotten price cuts.

Editors' Recommendations

Williams Pelegrin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Williams is an avid New York Yankees fan, speaks Spanish, resides in Colorado, and has an affinity for Frosted Flakes. Send…
Google drops developer fees in the Play Store to as low as 10%
Google Play Store.

Google today announced new moves to make selling on the Play Store more attractive to developers. Currently, the company charges 30% for all subscription sales, then drops it to 15% after a year. Starting in 2022, developers will now be charged 15% on payments from the first day, while Google also moves to reduce fees for apps registered under the Play Media Experience Program to 10%.

"Digital subscriptions have become one of the fastest-growing models for developers, but we know that subscription businesses face specific challenges in customer acquisition and retention. We’ve worked with our partners in dating, fitness, education and other sectors to understand the nuances of their businesses," Google's Sameer Samat, vice president of product management, explained in an announcement. "Our current service fee drops from 30% to 15% after 12 months of a recurring subscription. But we’ve heard that customer churn makes it challenging for subscription businesses to benefit from that reduced rate. So, we’re simplifying things to ensure they can."

Read more
Should you buy the Google Pixel 6 or get an older model instead?
Google Pixel 6 colors.

Google announced the newest iteration of its Pixel phone, the Pixel 6, on October 19. Over the last five years, Pixel phones have gained popularity for their clean Android interfaces, impressive camera systems, ample cloud photo storage, and reasonable price points.

The Pixel 6 and its more advanced sibling, the Pixel 6 Pro, are supposed to be the most capable Google phones yet in terms of their capabilities and specs, but along with these upgrades comes a higher price when compared to older models. If you go with an older Pixel, you can get some of the same benefits at a much lower price. Should you buy the new Pixel 6 or go with an older Pixel? We break your options down below.
What do the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro offer?

Read more
Google Wear update picks up remote app installation and a redesigned Play Store
The Google Keep app on Wear OS

Google rolled out a new update to Wear OS watches today, making it easier to install apps remotely and refreshing the Play Store with an Android 12-style Material You redesign.

Writing in a brief blog post, the company shared that users could now search for Wear-supported apps on the Play Store on mobile. All they needed to do was to add "Watch" or "Watch Face" to a search term when using the Play Store, and Google would serve up apps that support the wearable operating system. This means that you would be able to search up "music apps Watch Face" to surface a list of music apps that support Wear once this update rolls out. A new "Wear OS" and "Watch Faces for Wear OS" page in the Play Store will allow window shoppers a chance to browse for apps that they may not have heard of before. You can then install apps to any compatible watches remotely. Google says that it'll be pre-selecting devices that support this to make it easier for Wear OS users.

Read more