Google Play

Nook Media, a subsidiary of US bookstore Barnes & Noble (B&N), said that its Android-powered Nook HD tablet range would gain support for Google Play, enabling it to offer customers a broader set of apps and content.

Amazon Appstore is beginning to challenge Google Play as a destination for Android app users, according to analytics firm Distimo, with particular progress having been made in paid downloads.

Mobile security firm Lookout uncovered new Android malware, posing as an “innocent, if somewhat agressive” ad network. The malware family, called BadNews, has been discovered in 32 apps across four different Google developer accounts.

Google Play is catching Apple’s App Store in terms of both app downloads and revenue, although it is still some way behind in terms of the total spent by customers.

Google has refreshed its Google Play app store with a redesigned user interface and simplified in-app purchase process.

The world’s four leading app stores generated $2. 2 billion in total revenue from 13. 4 billion downloads in the first quarter of 2013, according to analyst firm Canalys.

Google Play is underperforming for developers in terms of the revenue it is generating for premium apps, according to billing company Flexion Mobile.