Android TV is adding a tab for renting and buying movies — because some of us still do that

Free ad-supported streaming TV is the burgeoning new pattern that everybody’s getting in on, and we’ve all bought our favourite exhibits on Netflix and different providers, however what about these occasions if you simply wish to spontaneously lease or, dare I counsel, purchase a film? In case you’ve bought a TV or streaming field that runs Google’s Android TV platform, these archaic leases and digital purchases are about to get a bit of extra handy — and simpler to search out. Beginning at present, Android TV is including a Store tab to the primary navigation that may seem alongside Search, House, Uncover, and Apps.

“The store tab permits you to discover motion pictures to purchase or lease and make purchases straight in your Android TV,” Google wrote in a weblog publish. “So whether or not you’re looking for a brand new and in style film not but obtainable on different streaming providers otherwise you want to make a one-time film buy with out a subscription, the Store tab makes it straightforward.”

You’ll additionally discover a library part inside the Store tab that gathers all movies that you simply’ve bought through your Google account; this consists of content material purchased “from YouTube, different Google TV and Android TV gadgets, and the Google TV cell app.” In an more and more fragmented streaming universe, generally it’s simply easier to purchase (or lease) that factor you wish to see as a substitute of watching your month-to-month subscriptions pile up.

Google handles all of those purchases and leases itself, and historically the corporate has supported the Films Wherever digital locker service that permits film playback throughout totally different software program providers and {hardware} platforms. I’ve requested the corporate whether or not that may proceed transferring ahead.

The Store tab is rolling out throughout Android TV starting at present within the US and may begin showing globally over the subsequent few weeks. Remember this pertains to Android TV and never the newer Google TV software program that runs on the corporate’s newest Chromecasts, current TVs, and streamers like the Walmart Onn 4K field I reviewed final month. So, Nvidia Defend house owners, this one’s for you.