Google Play is offering discounts on apps, games, movies, and more

By Christian de Looper Published December 20, 2018

There are a ton of deals for phones, computers, and more, for the end of the year — but Google wants in on the fun, so it has announced some pretty great deals for Google Play, too. So, if you’re looking for some new movies, apps, games, or books to download to your phone, then now might well be the time to buy.

The deals span a range of genres on the Play Store. You’ll be able to find deals on some of the year’s best movies, as well as some of the coolest apps and games. Game deals are actually split up into two weeks, so if you don’t find anything you like in the first week of deals, wait a week and you might find something in the second week. The deals run from now until January 2, and while we’re not sure exactly how discounted some of these products are, they’re at least worth checking out.

Recommended Videos

So what, in particular, can you get discounts on? Well, let’s start with the games. During the first week, you’ll be able to get big discounts on in-app purchases in games like Clash Royale, Pokemon Go, Empires & Puzzles, and Lineage 2. Week two brings discounts to other apps, including Candy Crush Friends Saga, PUBG, and Marvel Contest of Champions.

There are discounts on subscriptions within some great apps, too. In particular, you’ll be able to get “big discounts” on HBO and Starz subscriptions, as well as subscriptions to image editing app Picsart and music streaming service TuneIn. These discounts are only for first-time subscribers, so if you already subscribe you won’t be able to take advantage of the lower prices.

Some great movies have been discounted as well. Movies like Crazy Rich Asians, The Meg, and Adrift are all a little cheaper for rentals, while if you want to buy a movie you can get John Wick and The Predator cheaper. For TV shows, you’ll be able to get some seasons for $15, while some individual episodes are available for as little as 99 cents. Included in those deals are the likes of Doctor Who season 11, Game of Thrones season 1, and Legion season 2.

Last but not least are books, and some have been discounted by up to 80 percent. Titles include Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan, and Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover.

Topics

Christian de Looper

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…

Mobile

Google I/O 2025: Everything you need to know

It's almost the time of year for Google IO again, and, according to Google, this year's show will introduce software makers to the "newest developer tools and discover how they fuel innovation and enhance [your] workflow for maximum productivity."

Though the schedule has been released and there could be some surprises in store, we could hear more about Android 16, Android XR, and a host of updates for Google Gemini, Project Astra, and more. So let's dive in: here's everything you need to know about what we could expect at Google IO 2025 next month.
Google IO 2025: When will it happen?

Mobile

Google One subscribers could get a hugely important eSIM feature

The Google Pixel 9a's screen.

In the modern world of eSIMs, you don't have to worry about keeping track of a postage-stamp-sized piece of tech to use your phone, but there is one glaring downside: if you break your phone, transferring the eSIM from the broken device to your new one leaves you at the whims of your carrier. A new update to Google Play Services suggests an alternative might be on the way in the form of eSIM backup as part of the Google One subscription.

Android Authority dug into Google Play Services v25.16.33, the latest beta version, and found references that suggested a SIM data backup. You can pretty safely rule out physical SIM cards here, since those aren't affected by data wipes. That leaves only eSIMs, and it would certainly make it easier to transition from one phone to another.

Mobile

What is RTOS and is it the answer to Google’s Wear OS problems?

The OnePlus Watch 3 seen from the top.

Smartwatches are now over 25 years old, but just over a decade ago, Apple helped kickstart the current smartwatch industry with the launch of the original Apple Watch. From a focus on fitness to a selection of apps and whimsical watch faces, early smartwatches bore little resemblance to the current best smartwatches with which we’re now accustomed.

The only problem with the Apple Watch is that it was, and still is, exclusive to the iPhone. To answer this and capitalize on the demand for smartwatches from Android users, Google and its partners developed an Android-powered alternative. After many iterations, Wear OS was born, but it still faces several challenges many years later.