Google today detailed the latest update to Google Play services, version 8.3, which places a lot of focus on simplifying and speeding up.
The first change, which will perhaps be the most notable to us end users, is that Google is refreshing the Sign In with Google APIs to simplify and streamline the feature’s experience. With Google Play services 8.3, using Sign In with Google will not require any permissions. The feature is also gaining Google’s new branding. In all, these changes will enable users to Sign In with Google in one tap.
Continuing with the focus on simplifying the sign in process, Google Play services 8.3 includes a new API that’ll show a dialog and let a user select a previously-used email address to pre-fill a sign-in form. This doesn’t require any permissions, unlike a previous picker that a dev might’ve used.
There are a handful of other developer-focused tweaks in Google Play services 8.3. Those include one that’ll make coding App Invites easier, an update to Player Stats API for games, and a DataApi for wearables that’ll let a dev set how urgently a data item needs to be synced. For example, an app like a remote that requires immediate syncing can be set to do so, while an app that syncs contacts can be set to sync every 30 minutes or some other interval. The default setting is low priority, which ought to help improve your Android Wear device's battery life.
If you’re a developer or you’re just interested in the APIs that make Android apps work, you can hit up the Android Developers link below for more links and helpful information on Google Play services 8.3.
