The Google Play Store has gotten a nice new update this week that makes it easier for tablet owners to find apps and games that are properly optimized for their device. A new “designed for tablets” section is now displayed by default when browsing the store, while apps that aren’t optimized for larger displays carry a “designed for phones” label.

The change makes it easier for tablet owners to distinguish between titles that have a proper tablet interface, and those that are simply blown-up smartphone apps. Tablet users can still browse the full Google Play store if they wish to, and they can continue to download smartphone apps to their device.

Google has been criticized for not placing a greater focus on Android-powered slates in the past, and for not doing a better job of promoting tablet-optimized apps and encouraging developers to create more of them. But this is a huge step in the right direction.

If you’re a developer and you want to find out how to get your app in the “designed for tablets” section, visit the Developer Console and check out your “tablet optimization tips” which will tell you what changes you need to make to your app before it’s eligible.

• SourceGoogle+