Google had so many announcements today, that some were left behind. One of those was Google Play Services 5.0. For those that don’t know, every device running Android 2.3 and up use Google Play Services, and it ties all of Google’s services together easier and seamless. Android Head, Sundar Pichai stated how it’s faster and easier to update Google Play Services than sending out an OTA or doing a point-release of Android that then has to go to each carrier to be approved. Pretty much every Google app ties in with Google Play Services, so it’s an important part of Android these days. So for those wondering here’s everything that’s new in Google Play Services 5.0, according to the Google Developer blog:
“Services for Android wearables – Your apps can more easily communicate and sync with code running on Android wearables through an automatically synchronized, persistent data store and a reliable messaging interface. Play Games services – Build a great gaming experience with Quests, which allow event-based challenges for players to complete for rewards, Saved Games (a snapshot API allow synchronization of game data along with a cover-image and description), and Game Profile (providing experience points for players). App Indexing API – Surface deep content in your native mobile applications on Google search and drive additional user engagement. Google Cast – Use media tracks to enable closed-caption support for Chromecast. Drive – Sort query results, create offline folders, and select any mime type in the file picker by default. Wallet – Build a “Save to Wallet” button for offers directly into your app; use geo-fenced in-store notifications to prompt the user to show and scan digital cards. Split tender allows payment to be split between Wallet Balance and a credit/debit card in Google Wallet. Analytics – Get insights into the full user journey and understand how different user acquisition campaigns are performing with Enhanced Ecommerce, letting you measure product impressions, product clicks, and more. Mobile Ads – Use improved in-app purchase ads and integrations for the Play store in-app purchase API client. Dynamic Security Provider – Offers an alternative to the platform’s secure networking APIs that can be updated more frequently, for faster delivery of security patches.”
Quite the changes here in Google Play Services 5.0. We’re not sure if the update is rolling out yet, but it should be over the next few days as Google Play Services is always a staged rollout.