Google introduces ‘Entertainment Space’ to make Android tablets fun again

In an attempt to make tablets devices easier to use and content-friendly, the company has now introduced an ‘Entertainment Space’ to bring all your content front and center.

Entertainment Space will first roll out to tablets from Walmart this month.  (Google)

Android tablets haven't exactly grown in popularity over the past few years, while rival Apple's iPadOS has only improved with each upgrade. It appears that Google wants to change that, with the company announcing on Wednesday that it was introducing ‘Entertainment Space', a new feature for tablet devices that would make it easier to access all the media and entertainment on the device.

Over the past year, over 30 percent of users have started to use an Android tablet compared to 2019, the company said in a blog post. In an attempt to make these devices easier to use and content-friendly, the company has now introduced an ‘Entertainment Space' which is essentially a launcher of sorts for the TV shows, movies, videos, games and books that you have on your device, or available through subscription services.

The Watch tab has a familar interface for those who have used a smart TV.  (Google)

The Watch tab has a familar interface for those who have used a smart TV.  (Google)

“Once you sign in to your subscription apps, Entertainment Space will show you your content in one place and tailored for you. And if you want to share your tablet, everyone in the family can have their own personalized profile,” the blog post says, referring to services like Google TV, YouTube, Twitch, Hulu and other devices. These are all available on the Watch tab, which closely resembles the Google TV interface or Xiaomi's PatchWall.

The Play tab lets you jump back into games you've previously played.  (Google)

The Play tab lets you jump back into games you've previously played.  (Google)

Google Play Games, which is commonly found on most Android devices, will also be plugged into using the Play tab, the company says. This will allow users to jump back into previously played games – while also gaining access to new recommended games. Entertainment Space will also support Instant Play for some games, which means you can try out a preview of a game without downloading all the game's files.

Google is also making your books very accessible with the Read tab.  (Google)

Google is also making your books very accessible with the Read tab.  (Google)

Books are an invaluable source of comfort during these trying times, and Google hasn't left them out of the Entertainment Space. The Read tab will host e-books from Google Play Books, along with audiobooks for those who prefer listening to their books. Users will be able to look at book previews before purchasing them, along with recommendations and information about running discounts on books in the store.

The new Entertainment Space will first roll out to Walmart onn tablets this month — other new tablets will get the feature later this year, along with a few existing devices from manufacturers such as Sharp, Lenovo and more, the company says in its blog post.