ay Services 7.0 brings better multiplayer gaming location tools to Android

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Published 3 Mar 2015

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Disclosure

A ay Services update may not sound as spectacular as a new version of Android, but often it’s just as important. 

ay Services 7.0 is the latest package for developers, bringing a lot of new tools targeted at gaming location awareness.

th gaming, the update brings more ways to measure a game’s success, monetize it, exp multiplayer capabilities. The video (below) of Beach Buggy Racing demonstrates the possibilities. th Android TV gaming, a group of friends could use their Android devices as controllers or even share secrets, tools, or other items depending on the type of game.  

Developers can also use a new ayer Analytics interface to get more data about the people playing their games. Titles using ‘s AdMob service can display native ads inside the interface instead of those annoying banners along the top or bottom. 

y this matters:  ay Services, rather than Android updates, is the primary way that delivers more timely tools to developers for their games apps. This newest batch has a lot for gamers, which are starting to give Android more attention as the ay Store continues to catch up to iOS in revenue.

Better location services

cation services is another area of emphasis. Developers can tap into more specific locations with more Maps data. There’s a new interface for developers that want to embed a Map inside their app. The A accepts user submissions for new places, so the developer can keep the location data up to date.

place picker dialog Android Developers Blog

There’s a clean, new Material Design-inspired interface that developers can add inside their apps.

Some other location tweaks are designed to give you more control. Developers can now enable their app to ping you if it needs more accuracy, turning on location services for that app forcing your into your phone settings.