Google finally let the curtain fall on the long-anticipated Nearby API that enables detection and easy connection with other devices in close proximity. The new API was announced with Play services v7.8, but the SDK won't be released until that version has gone into wide release, which will happen in about two weeks. This gives Google a chance to identify some of the bugs that may have slipped through during development, and collect feedback from a larger set of devices in the real world. Of course, we've also got links to download the apk if you don't feel like waiting.

What's New

Like most updates to Play services, there's not all that much to see on the user-facing side. However, the Google Settings app received a few changes worth noting. To begin with, there is a new group of account management categories including: Sign-in & security, Personal info & privacy, and Account preferences. With the sole exception of Activity Controls under Personal info & privacy, every single option in each category is just a link to a web page on Google. These don't provide anything we couldn't already get to with a web browser, but they offer a faster and more convenient way to make changes right from a phone. Even though they may be useful, it feels awkward to switch from the native app to Chrome.

The other addition to Google Settings is a grayed-out placeholder for Nearby. It's a bit unfair to call it a placeholder because it will become active when Google flips a switch in a couple of weeks. Nevertheless, it's going to lead to the configuration screen for all of your Nearby needs. As for what that screen will contain... Well, there will be an APK Teardown shortly (probably tomorrow morning) with more details on this and plenty of other things. In the meantime, there's a download link below if you'd like to jump the line and install the latest Play services apk before Google rolls it out to your hardware.

Download

The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.

Version: 7.8.87