ANDROID GOOGLE PLAY SERVICES

 ANDROID GOOGLE PLAY STORE GOOGLE PLAY SERVICES

Google has begun sharing what new features and changes to expect in November from the core system apps on our Android devices, including some tweaks to the Play Store’s UI. Each month, Google rounds up and publishes the patch notes for a collection of Android apps and services that it refers to as the “Google System.” These include the Play Store, Google Play Services, Android System Intelligence, Android Web View, and “Google Play system updates.” Each part is responsible for what makes your smartphone – or your watch, tablet, TV, etc – feel “smart” in the first place.

For November’s patch notes, Google has devised a new organization style that makes it much easier to know which updates are responsible for specific changes without constantly checking footnotes. As always though, to take advantage of these new features, you’ll need to be on the latest version of each app.

The easiest way to check whether you need to update Google Play Services on your phone is to follow a direct link to the app’s Play Store listing and update from there, if available. To update the Play Store, tap your avatar in the corner, then “Settings.” Under the “About” section, you’ll see an option to “Update Play Store.” Meanwhile, Google Play system updates can be found through the Settings app, under About phone > Android version > Google Play system update. Other “Google System” apps, like Android System Intelligence and Google Wallet, are updated through the Play Store just like any other app.

Updating Google Play Services

November is starting off a bit slower than months past, with Google sharing details of Play Store version 38.3 and Play Services version 23.43, the latter of which doesn’t seem to have any noteworthy updates. However, the new Play Store update is set to include a few tweaks.

For starters, Google is improving the Play Store’s “search result experience” by introducing a new shortcut “which will take you right to the app or game.” Meanwhile, the marketplace is also making it easier to uninstall Android apps from “connected devices,” following the app’s recent moves to allow installing apps onto your smartwatch or tablet via your phone. Other adjustments include an “[u]pdated design for Google Play Protect information cards” and a new reminder that pre-registering for an app works better if Play Store notifications are turned on.

Update 11/8: We now have the first details of the Play Services version 23.44 update, which should begin rolling out later this month. Initially, when filling out a form that asks for an email address, Autofill with Google will now offer email addresses that you’ve previously saved as a username. This particular change seems some what difficult, considering how common it is to share accounts for streaming services. Those email addresses would then appear as autofill options any time you register a new account or fill out a form online.

Moving on to Google Wallet, the app will soon notify you if one of your saved cards needs further verification before it can be used. You’ll also be able to save your “corporate ID” to your phone’s wallet.