This is turning out to be a pretty big day for Android developers. Not only did Google release Android Studio 1.0, but the company says that it’s now pushing Google Play services 6.5 as well.
Google Play services 6.5 was originally announced in mid-November. The update includes tweaks for Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Wallet, Google Fit and Granular Dependency Management. Just what does all of that include? This:
- Google Maps - Maps API includes a toolbar to let users open Google Maps and get directions to a selected marker. Additionally, a “lite mode” map is available for when you want a super small map, like for a thumbnail.
- Google Drive - Users can add public and app private custom file properties to Drive files for faster searches and allowing apps to save info that’ll persist across other apps. Syncing Drive files is also better on battery use thanks to ability to set when files are uploaded by network type and charging status.
- Google Wallet - Adds “Donate with Google” button to easily let users donate money in Wallet.
- Google Fit - Easier for developers to add activity segments like time periods of walking or running when creating a session, meaning that the app can now easily support pauses or workouts with multiple activities.
- Granular Dependency Management - Developers can slim down their app size by relying on a common library and the exact APIs that an app needs rather than all of the available Google Play services APIs.
As with the release of Android Studio 1.0, this is news is mostly developer-centric. Google’s release notes do offer some details on features that we could see in future app updates, though, like improved battery life from Google Drive.
