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Interactive Google Play app dishes up actor details

A new interactive feature gives users at-a-glance information about their favorite actors and related content.

Scott Webster
Scott Webster has spent the better part of his adult life playing with cell phones and gadgets. When not looking for the latest Android news and rumors, he relaxes with his wife and son. Scott also is the senior editor for AndroidGuys. E-mail Scott.
Scott Webster
Info cards in the new Google Play Movies & TV
Info cards provide contextually based details for Google Play Movies. Click to enlarge. Google

Google today introduced a new feature to the Google Play Movies and TV app for Android. Dubbed "info cards," they offer up contextually based "cards" with related information and links.

If you've ever watched a TV show or movie and wondered where you might have seen the actor before, or if you're curious what that song is playing in the end credits, these info cards save the day.

It may be a matter of pure coincidence, but Amazon today announced that X-Ray for TV is available for Kindle Fire and Wii U devices. Somewhat similar in design, the Amazon service is tied to IMDb and requires users to purchase content through Amazon Instant Video. Whereas the X-Ray experience is tightly focused on movies and television, Google's info cards open the door to all things Google.

Google has made the info card feature available for "hundreds of movies" offered in Google Play, and I'm sure we'll see more context cards for most future releases. Just download the latest version of Google Play Movies & TV app to get started.

Also of note, the info cards are only available to U.S. users who are running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or higher.

Looking ahead, Google plans to expand the info card feature to additional countries and devices.