Google launches new online store

Google is launching a new website focused on selling its hardware products, the company's latest effort to attract buyers to its devices. The search giant on Wednesday announced the Google Store, a website where people can buy physical products including the company's Nexus smartphones and tablets, Chromebook laptops, Chromecast streaming devices, and more. The store will also sell devices like Nest, an Internet-connected thermostat the company bought last year.

The move separates Google's efforts to sell hardware from its Google Play store, which is used to sell software like mobile apps, movies and music.

It also follows Apple's approach to business. The iPhone maker has long maintained separate online stores, selling music, movies and apps through its iTunes music store and App Store, while selling iPhones, iPads and Macs through a storefront on its website. Not all companies do this. Amazon, for example uses one storefront to sell both its hardware and media.