Android Pay has been a hot topic in the last weeks after a series of memos and promotional materials turned up with the supposed August 26th launch date. As it turns out, Google hadn't yet distributed the necessary software to enable Android Pay for use on phones. That changes with version 8.1 of the Play services apk, which began rolling out Friday afternoon. A look around inside of the app also suggests there has been a bit more progress on the long-anticipated Kid Accounts. As of this release, there is also an important change to the convention Google uses for identifying Play services apk variants for different devices.
Read MoreGoogle Play Services v8.1 Begins Rolling Out To Prepare For Android Pay, Changes Variant Naming Scheme For Lollipop Devices, And More [APK Teardown + Download]
[APK Teardown] Play Services 7.5 - Part 2: Chrome Sync Might Be Relocating, Google Play In China, Kid Accounts, And A Random Facebook Logo
In Part 1 of this teardown, we saw what may be the return of [email protected], or at least something similar. There were also new pieces to Nearby, Google's unique technology for finding two devices (and people) in close proximity, and a possible (subtle) change to the way Smart Lock responds to wearable devices. In Part 2, we'll continue with the possible centralization of Chrome Sync to Play services, project Sidewinder, a mysterious appearance by Facebook, and more.
Disclaimer: Teardowns are necessarily speculative and usually based on incomplete evidence. It's possible that the guesses made here are totally and completely wrong. There is always a chance that details may change or plans may be cancelled prior to the launch of a new feature discovered in a teardown.
[APK Teardown] Chrome Beta 41 Appears To Be Adding Support For Kid Accounts, Samsung's AirView, And Notifications For Web Apps
Update Wednesday wasn't particularly active this week, but Google did push a few bug fixers out before the day was done. While most of the apps only saw minor version revs with little more than minor tweaks, Chrome Beta 41 came down the pipe with some noteworthy improvements like pull-to-refresh and an option to block only 3rd-party cookies. However, it turns out that those weren't the only new bits to be found in this release.
Kid Accounts, Again
A couple of months ago, Google Play Services 6.5 landed with a handful of new bits and pieces, including the first signs of a feature referred to as Kid Accounts.
Read More
[APK Teardown] Google Play Services 6.5 Adds Android Auto, Smart Profiles, Lockbox, Kid Accounts, And Expands On The Mysterious Firmware Updater
Since the launch of Android 5.0 last month, the sheer number of app updates has been magnificent – and downright overwhelming. Believe it or not, most of the new versions haven't done much more than add Lollipop support and splash a fresh coat of Materialized paint on the UIs. Seriously, we've been checking. This isn't entirely a bad thing, as it's giving me time to work on some other projects... You'll see soon enough <wink>. But, we've finally got something to talk about with the latest release of Google Play services 6.5. Strictly speaking, a few of tidbits to follow were actually first seen in different minor releases of 6.1, but we're putting it all together here.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
0
These water-resistant wireless earbuds by Anker are down to $33
-
5
Rare deal: 49-inch 4K HDR TCL Roku TV is down to $300, lowest price ever
-
4
Google Home Minis are under $25 each at Best Buy if you buy two
-
1
30 temporarily free and 42 on-sale apps and games to start the week
-
14
Monday deals: Save big on Google Nest Hub, plus discounts on security cameras, USB-C cables, and more
-
0
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
1
Review: Logitech Harmony Express is a universal remote for people with more money than time
-
30
AirDroid launches new screen mirroring app for remote tech support
-
11
Sony’s $250 Extra Bass headphones can’t compete with the 1000XM3 — even on price
-
64
The Xperia 1 is Sony's best phone yet, but it struggles to justify the exorbitant price
-
33
Forget gaming: The Red Magic 3 is the most powerful phone under $500 in the US right now
-
1
Latest Roundups
-
13
19 best new Android games released this week including Flashback Mobile, Plants vs. Zombies 3 Pre-Alpha, and It’s Always Sunny: The Gang Goes Mobile
-
6
16 best new Android games released this week including Dr. Mario World, The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, and Bananagrams: The Official Game
-
11
20 of the most relaxing puzzle games for Android phones and tablets
-
1
20 new and notable Android apps from the last two weeks including Shoelace, 321FIT, and ruff (6/29/19 - 7/13/19)
-
11
16 best new Android games released this week including LEGO Tower, ROOMS: The Toymaker's Mansion, and Total Party Kill
-
13
Recent Apps and Games
-
4
American Dad! Apocalypse Soon is a corny Fallout Shelter clone cashing in soon
-
3
New OnePlus Gallery update lets you hide your photos, just not very well [APK Download]
-
23
Google Photos now shows short preview clips of videos inside the gallery
-
1
30 temporarily free and 42 on-sale apps and games to start the week
-
6
Tasker updated to v5.8 with new features for third-party apps, Bluetooth, and more
-
4
Blast from the Past
-
36
1 Year Ago Today
Google’s 89,000+ employees have had zero phishing incidents since switching to hardware security keys in 2017
-
116
2 Years Ago Today
Galaxy S8 Active images and details leak, show off familiar design and 4000mAh battery
-
27
3 Years Ago Today
New Play Store tools help developers shrink the size of app updates
-
89
4 Years Ago Today
[Update: Google Drive Backup Is Back] WhatsApp Adds Custom Contact And Group Notifications, Mute, Mark As Unread, And A Low Data Setting For Voice Calls
-
41
5 Years Ago Today
Google Officially Introduces New "Explore Nearby" Functionality For Maps
-
142
6 Years Ago Today
BestBuy.com Just Published The New Nexus 7 In Both 16GB And 32GB Flavors - Pre-Order Them Now [Updated: Sam's Club, PC Connection]
-
28
7 Years Ago Today
Motorola RAZR HD Passes Through The FCC, Confirms NFC Support And Verizon Bands
-
10
8 Years Ago Today
Marvel Entertainment Enters Android With The Official Captain America 3D Action Game [Bonus: Live Wallpaper Too]
-
25
9 Years Ago Today
[Hands On] Cyanogen Mod 6 Nightly For HTC EVO 4G (07232010 release): It Rocks My World
-
36
