News section coming to Google Play after Google Reader shutdown

There’s speculation that Google could soon add a news section to its Google Play marketplace, with references to a “Google Play News” section hidden in the code for the web version of Google Play.

The blog Android Police reports a JavaScript file used on the website includes references to buying a “news issue” and subscribing to a “news subscription” from a currently deactivated section of the store.

If Google goes ahead with the launch, it will join other Google Play sections offering eBooks, Android apps and magazines.

The news comes after Google recently announced the deactivation of its Google Reader service.