Google Play Music update: Notification channels support and improved search history

Google has released an update for the Play Music app that has two big features on board. The first is support for notification channels (only available for Android O devices.)

By heading into the settings of the app, you can select which notifications you want and don’t want to receive. There are a few categories listed that you can enable or disable including Account issues/updates, Content updates, Downloads, Playback, and Purchase updates.

The second feature, which is available for all devices, is a new way of viewing your search history. You’ll find a “Manage Play Music history” in the settings that brings up a Chrome Custom Tab once you tab on it. It displays all the searches you have performed in the music app as well as via your PC including those for songs, artists, and albums.

The two features are not groundbreaking in any way but they are certainly nice to have. The update is already available so if you want to try them out, simply update the Google Play Music app on your device and you’re good to go.

Previous Updates

WiFi streaming and download quality options

March 16, 2017: In the latest Google Play Music update, users can now adjust the audio quality for downloads and Wi-Fi streaming. This was previously available only for streaming via mobile data, where users could choose between three qualities: low, medium or high.

Recents

February 23, 2017: Google has added a “recents” option to the menu where you’ll find all your last played songs. The feature isn’t new as far as music apps are concerned but it is the first time it has appeared in Google’s music streaming service. The update arrives as part of the Google Play Music version 7.4, which also brings a handful of other small tweaks, such as a new animation when you press play.

Additionally, Google Play Music also now boasts 40 million songs, up five million on the previous count.

Google Play Music UI overhaul 

November 16, 2016: Google has rolled out a complete upgrade to the UI of its Google Play Music streaming service. The changes make it easier to search and discover new music, with clearer recommendations, but it has also improved the algorithms used to make suggestions. What’s more, Google has added offline streaming playlists which are loaded with your most recently played tracks.