Google Play Services 9.8 Brings New Sign-In Features, Goals API for Fit, and More

Advertisement
By Shekhar Thakran | Updated: 26 October 2016 15:05 IST
Highlights
  • Update allows Google Fit app to read fitness goals set by users
  • Nearby Notifications feature not re-enabled with update
  • Update brings bug fixes and performance improvements

Google Play services has been an integral part of the entire Android ecosystem and sometimes ends up being a crucial factor when it comes to customer experience of the OS. With its latest update, the search giant has updated the background service to version 9.8 and added several features to it.

Notably, post the Google Play services 9.8 update, users will be able to fill in the phone numbers associated with their account with a single tap, in apps that use the Credentials API, the company said in its release note. The updated Cast API improves the appearance of the 'seek bar' and blurs the background while playing ads. It further adds the ability to customise the style of mini controllers.

Google Fit app on Android will now be able to read the fitness goals set by the users, thanks to the Goals API introduced to the app. The Google Play services 9.8 update also brings hands-free support for Nearby Messages, which allows message exchange between two devices using a combination of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Wi-Fi.

Advertisement

Nearby Notifications feature, which was muted by the company starting September 21, has not been re-enabled with the Google Play services 9.8 update but is expected to be re-enabled with a future update.

Advertisement

Apart from the aforementioned features, the update for Google Play services also brings along bug fixes and performance improvements. Google Play services 9.8 will be updated in a phased manner across the globe, and there is no simple way to sideload the update.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Best Diwali 2025 Wishes, Quotes, and Facebook Statuses to Share
  1. Madam Sengupta Is Now Streaming: Know Where to Watch This Bangla Crime Thriller
  2. Ryugu Samples Reveal Ancient Water Flow on Asteroid for a Billion Years
  3. Scientists Create Most Detailed Radio Map of Early Universe Using MWA
  4. Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 OTT Release: Know When, Where to Watch Jeremy Renner's Crime Drama
  5. Our Fault Is Streaming Now: Know All About This Gabriel Guevara and Nicole Wallace Starrer
  6. The Conjuring: Last Rites Is Now Streaming Online: Know Where to Watch the Latest Installment from the Horror Franchise
  7. Delhi Crime Season 3 OTT Release: Know When to Watch This Shefali Shah Thriller Series
  8. Vast Space to Launch Haven-1, the World’s First Private Space Station in 2026
  9. Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Soars to 424PPM, Marking Biggest Yearly Jump Ever
  10. Black Hole Tears Star Apart, Sends Out Powerful Flares Six Months Later
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.