{
  "id": 18289093,
  "title": "Google Play could finally catch up to Apple and Steam with this long-missing store feature",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/google-play-could-finally-catch-up-to-apple-and-steam-with-this-long",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-05T10:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/play-store-gifting-3731844/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google Play has long been without a native feature to gift app purchases to other users. However, it now seems Google is preparing a system that will allow buyers to gift games to their friends, complete with a personalized note. Interestingly, recipients would also be able to return titles they no longer desire.\n\nCurrently, gamers are frustrated by what they perceive as an attack on physical media. As more and more games are being distributed online, it's becoming increasingly difficult to obtain the latest releases on optical discs or cartridges. Despite Android's long history of app distribution over the internet, its store still lags behind in features compared to competitors like Apple's App Store and digital gaming platform Steam.\n\nThis story is part of Authority Insights, a section of Android Authority dedicated to exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth technology coverage that you won't find anywhere else.",
  "summary": "Why send gift cards, when you can just gift games directly?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}