Google Play Services

Google Play Services is a proprietary background service and API package for Android devices from Google.[7] When it was introduced in 2012, it provided access to the Google+ APIs and OAuth 2.0. It expanded to cover a variety of Google services, allowing applications to communicate with the services through common means.[8][9]

Google Play Services
Google Play Services Logo
Developer(s)Google LLC
Initial release2012 (2012)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android20.21.17 / June 17, 2020 (2020-06-17)[1]
Android TV20.06.16 / February 20, 2020 (2020-02-20)[2]
Wear OS (Android Wear)19.0.56 / August 13, 2019 (2019-08-13)[3]
Preview release(s) [±]
Android19.4.19 beta / September 16, 2019 (2019-09-16)[4]
Android TV19.4.19 beta / September 16, 2019 (2019-09-16)[5]
Wear OS (Android Wear)16.0.81 beta / February 25, 2019 (2019-02-25)[6]
Operating systemAndroid
LicenseProprietary
Websitedeveloper.android.com/distribute/play-services 

Services

Google Play Game Services can be used by application developers to allow a competitive and social experience through the use of leaderboards, achievements and multiplayer sessions.[10] Saved Games API is available to sync game saves on Google's cloud infrastructure.[11] Location APIs provide specifications about the location technologies, providing Geofencing APIs for scheduling specific actions when the user enters or leaves specific geographic boundaries, Fused Location Provider acquires location information such as reduced power usage and activity recognition for allowing applications to adapt to the current action of the user (e.g. cycling, walking, etc.).[12]

The Google+ platform provides single sign-on, authenticating the user inside applications using current credentials.[13] The Google Maps Android API allows applications to include Google Maps or Street View without the need to open a separate application, allowing full control over the camera and providing a means of adding custom markers and map overlays.[14] The Google Drive Android API allows Google Drive to be used as a storage structure, providing lookup and syncing of documents along with other file manipulation tools.[15] The Google Cast Android API adds casting functionality to allow Android applications to display content on TVs using Google Cast, additionally providing various helpers for common audio, video and image types.[16]

Google Mobile Ads integrate advertisements into applications, allowing monetization by targeting ads based on factors such as user location.[17] Google Wallet Instant Buy allows purchases of services and goods via Google Wallet.[18] Other APIs include the Google Fit API, account authentication methods and Google Analytics.[8]

Google Play Services is used by almost all Google apps that have system-level powers.[19] All major Android services are controlled by Google Play Services. Without this, apps may not work properly.[20]

Google Play Protect is a unification of Android security systems.[21][22][23] In 2019, the company announced that the software was scanning 50 million apps per day.[24] On November 6, 2019, Google announced the App Defense Alliance. Partners can request Google Play Protect to analyze an app. Results are sent to the partner and Google Play Protect receives results from partners. As of November, 2019, partners of the App Defense Alliance include: ESET, Lookout and Zimperium.[25][26]

Adoption

Google Play Services is automatically updated through Google Play on devices with that application installed on Android 4.1 or newer.[7] This means Google can deliver updates without manufacturers having to update the Android firmware, working around the fragmentation of the platform for which it had become infamous.[27]

Concerns

The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) was announced in 2007, and functioned as the baseline system for all OEMs and firmware modifications such as CyanogenMod and LineageOS. Various AOSP apps were transferred to Google Play with a closed-source model. Many apps function only when Google Play Services are available (such as many of the Google apps like Gmail and YouTube).

Distributing Google Play Services as a part of the Google apps package requires a license from Google, which often results in a contractual agreement locking the manufacturer into Android. Other who are interested in modifying the Android system are required to either opt-out of Google Play Services or to obtain the Google apps package from either a device that has them pre-installed or an unofficial source.[19][27]

See also

References

  1. "Google Play Services". APKPure. APKPure. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  2. "Google Play Services (Android TV)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  3. "Google Play Services (Wear OS)". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  4. "Google Play Services". APKMirror. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  5. "Google Play Services (Android TV)". APKMirror. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  6. "Google Play Services (Wear OS)". APKMirror. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  7. "Google Play Services". Android Developers. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  8. "Package Index". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  9. Google Play Services - AppBrain Market 29 January 2014
  10. "Google Play Game Services". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  11. "Saved Games in Android". Google Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  12. "Location APIs". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  13. "Google+ Platform for Android". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  14. "Google Maps Android API v2". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  15. "Google Drive Android API". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  16. "Google Cast Android API". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  17. "Google Mobile Ads". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  18. "Google Wallet Instant Buy". Android Developers. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  19. Ron Amadeo (September 3, 2013). "Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  20. "Update Google Play Services Manually". oTechWorld. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  21. "Google's security suite 'Play Protect' rolling out to Android phones". Android Authority. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  22. "Google's Play Protect didn't catch obfuscated malware with up to 20 million installs on the Play Store". Android Police. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  23. "Keeping you safe with Google Play Protect". Google Blog. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  24. "Google Play Protect Now Scans More Than 50 Million Apps Per Day". Beebom. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  25. "The App Defense Alliance: Bringing the security industry together to fight bad apps". Google Online Security Blog. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  26. "App Defense Alliance | Play Protect". Google Developers. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  27. Ron Amadeo (October 21, 2013). "Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
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