Google launches the Google Store, a new place to buy hardware [Updated]

Buy a new Pixel and everything else at Google’s new hardware store.

Ron Amadeo – Mar 11, 2015 1:09 pm | 43

Credit: Google Store

With the launch of the new Chromebook Pixel comes a new way to buy the Chromebook Pixel and every other piece of hardware Google makes: the Google Store. Store.google.com is the company’s new home for Nexus devices, Chromebooks, Chromecast, Android TV, Android Wear, Nest, and accessories.

Of course, Google already has a hardware store on Google Play—besides Apps, games, and media, there’s a whole hardware section. It’s unknown if Google is going to kill off the Play hardware store or keep both running in typical “Google makes two of everything” fashion.

There are a few initial oddities about the new selection. The Nexus 5 may be totally, finally dead. It was just pulled off the Play Store today (along with the old Pixel) and a message reads “The Nexus 5 is no longer available for sale.” The Google Store has a “Phones” page, but right now there is only one phone: the Nexus 6. Also, despite the current version being dead, the store is also selling some Google Glass accessories.

The store also isn’t totally complete. It’s missing a few things Google sells in other locations, like Liftware, a set of stabilized eating utensils for people that suffer from tremors, and Google branded merchandise, which still lives in the Google Merchandise Store.

Update: They co-existed for a few minutes, but now the Google Play Hardware store is gone—the tab on Google Play now redirects to the Google Store. An FAQ entry over at support.google.com lays out the details:

The Google Store is an online store where you can learn about and buy Android phones and tablets, Android Wear watches, Chromebooks, Nest devices, media streaming devices, and related accessories. These products used to be available on Google Play. Google Play now only sells Google Play Apps, Music, Movies & TV, Books, and Newsstand.

Need a hardware device? Think the Google Store. Need digital content to enjoy on your device? Think Google Play.