Google has launched a new version of its popular Android Market for devices running Android 2.2 and higher, the company announced this week. The update will offer book sales and movie rentals.

In a Google Mobile blog post Tuesday, the company revealed, “Today, we’re releasing a new version of Android Market which makes all of these available on phones (Android 2.2 and higher).”

U.S. Android Market users will be able to rent thousands of movies, starting at $1.99, according to Google Mobile Product Manager Paul Montoy-Wilson.

If the new version isn’t available on your Droid system yet, be patient: The update will be automatic on Android 2.2 and higher devices.

“The new Android Market will be rolling out in the coming weeks to Android 2.2 and higher phones around the world. You don’t need to do anything – the update is automatic on supported phones. If you’re in the U.S., you’ll also be able to download the Videos app, rent movies, and buy books once you receive the new Android Market,” Montoy-Wilson said in the July 12 blog entry.

The Google Android Market has over 200,000 apps and supports over 300 Android devices, with 4.5 billion applications installed to date, according to figures released in May 2011. 

Google’s Android gained rapid momentum in 2010, surging ahead of Apple’s iOS platform. But a recent Nielsen survey – conducted four months after Apple finally released an iPhone for Verizon – sadly proved Google wrong. Although the survey indicated that Android was still popular among the smartphone masses, the growth rate plateau with Apple’s iPhone ringing in accelerated growth, TechZone360 reported.

Check out the video below for more information.