Play Services 7.8 brings Barcode Reader, Face Detection and Improved Cloud Messaging

BY GreenBot Staff

Published 14 Aug 2015

Android apps will soon be able to quickly detect facial expressions and read barcodes. Thanks to an update to Play Services. It was announced on its Android Developers Blog. It’s wrapped up the rollout of Play Services 7.8, which packs in a lot of developer tools.

Why this matters:- Play Services is the main engine behind features developers can build into their Android apps. This way, even if you don’t have the latest build of Android. Your device will still be able to tap into the latest goodies. Expect it to be a while before any of these new capabilities show up in apps, as developers need to build a test using the new tools.

Mobile Vision App

If you check out the video, you’ll see that Android apps can use a new Face Detection App. That can analyze particular orientations of one’s face. It stresses it’s not facial recognition. It’s more akin to recognizing if the device is looking at a face or spotting multiple orientations, not using your face to determine your identity.

Barcode Reading

Another app allows an app to access a wide range of 1D or 2D barcode standards. Developers had to jump through many hoops to avoid kicking you out of the app. And install a scanner under previous Apps. It could be an excellent enhancement for shopping comparison apps. That let you scan a barcode to pull up a price or other details about a product.

Cloud Messaging Nearby App

Play Services also touted improvements to its Cloud Messaging App, which developers tap into to send you instant notifications. Developers can put a rush on certain statements. Hence, they arrive faster or allow an app to generate a report based on your location.

So, the Nearby App is now live in Play Services 7.8, adding multi-screen and multi-player gaming and allowing users to collaborate over a virtual whiteboard.