May 11, 2015 - 10:06 AMT
Google allows users to pre-register for upcoming Android apps

Google has introduced a new feature to the Google Play Store after it began allowing users to pre-register for upcoming Android apps, TechCrunch reports.

Terminator Genisys: Revolution from Glu Mobile — the company that recently took investment from China’s Tencent — is the first title to take advantage of the feature.

Interested users simply tap the pre-register icon (which is where ‘download’ would usually be) to show their interest.

Pre-registration is free for Android customers, and there’s no obligation to download or buy the app once it is live. The process sets up an alert that prompts a user once the app is available. It is not a lock-in, since users can cancel their interest if they have a change of heart.

Pre-registration isn’t for an average developer, but it could be useful for games that are timed for release alongside films — i.e. Terminator — or sequels or big budget productions that want to drive up interest and hype pre-launch.

This is another example of differentiation between Apple’s App Store and Google Play, TechCrunch says. Google has long allowed a number of unique features, including allowing developers to respond to reviews.