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Samsung rebrands app store as Galaxy Apps, adds new perks

The tech company amps up its app store with a new name, interface, and hundreds of apps.

Dara Kerr Former senior reporter
Dara Kerr was a senior reporter for CNET covering the on-demand economy and tech culture. She grew up in Colorado, went to school in New York City and can never remember how to pronounce gif.
Dara Kerr

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Samsung's revamped app store, Galaxy Apps. Screenshot by Dara Kerr/CNET

Samsung appears to be making a play for Google Play customers. The tech giant announced Thursday a refresh of its apps store -- turning it from Samsung Apps to Galaxy Apps.

With the new name, interface, and branding, comes hundreds of new apps -- exclusive to Samsung Galaxy mobile devices -- which the company has divvied into a handful of categories, such as Best Picks, Top, and For Galaxy.

The For Galaxy category is separated into four sections that offer up various types of apps: Galaxy Gifts, Galaxy Essentials, Apps for Professionals, and Galaxy Specials. The Specials apps are specifically created by using Samsung SDKs.

Samsung said the idea of Galaxy Apps is to give users more options to customize their mobile devices, as well as create a platform to publicize promotions and deals.

The move could take a bite out of Google Play's market since Samsung makes many popular Android devices. Although the two companies appear to cooperate on many levels, it seems there's never a shortage of competition in the tech world.

The Galaxy Apps store started rolling out on Thursday and will eventually be available to all of Samsung's users worldwide.