Google essentials debuts on windows with new features; instant Google Store credits for one subscribers
Top 3 Key Points:
- Google Essentials app launches on Windows, starting with HP devices.
- Instant Google Store credits are now available for One subscriber after the purchase ships.
- Google Essentials offers easy access to Google apps and services on Windows.
Google is making it easier for Windows users to access its services with the launch of a new app called Google Essentials. This app allows you to easily find and install Google’s key apps on Windows devices. Currently, it’s available first on HP’s consumer and gaming laptops, including Spectre, Envy, Pavilion, OMEN, Victus, and HP brands, with plans to expand to more devices soon.
What is Google Essentials?
Google Essentials helps Windows users discover and install Google apps like Play Games, Google Photos, and Google Messages. It also provides shortcuts to popular Google services such as Google Docs, Drive, and Calendar. Although Quick Share, a file-sharing feature, is visible in the app’s promotion, it wasn’t specifically mentioned in the official announcement.
The app also offers a special perk: a 2-month free trial of 100GB Google One storage for eligible users. You can launch Google Essentials directly from the start menu and seamlessly switch between your phone and laptop.
One convenient feature of Google Essentials is that it’s fully removable, so if you don’t find it useful, you can uninstall it along with any other Google apps you’ve downloaded.
Google Store Credits: Now Instant for One Subscriber
In a less-publicized but significant update, Google One subscribers now receive Google Store credits immediately after their orders ship, rather than waiting up to a month as before. This means if you order a new Pixel 9 or any other Google product, your Store credit will be ready to use almost instantly once the item is on its way to you.
Previously, these credits could take up to a month to appear in your account. Now, with the Pixel 9 series and other Google products rolling out globally, this update could be a great incentive to make your next purchase.
However, these credits are only available in certain regions, including Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Credits expire 365 days after being issued, so make sure to use them within a year.
If you’re a Google One subscriber, you might want to check your Store credit balance. Simply go to the Google Store page, tap your profile image, and select “Your Google Store credit” to see what’s available.