Google Play Services update brings two new features to Android devices

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Google has released a new Google Play Services update to Android devices. It brings improvements to media playback switching and item location sharing. The update is available for Galaxy phones and tablets as well, and you can install it on your device.



Google Play Services update brings better music playback switching and item location sharing



The latest version of Google Play Services (25.46) has started rolling out (via 9To5Google) to all Android phones and tablets. It brings one-tap device transfer suggestions in the media object and suggested devices in the media output switcher. Media output switcher is the panel you get after tapping the ‘Media Output' button in the media player widget in the Quick Panel.








Google has been working on the feature since early 2023, and it should work with Spotify Connect and YouTube Music. App developers need to implement it in their apps.



The company once explained how the feature is intended to work. When you are playing a music track on your phone, when you enter your car, it displays a suggestion to connect to your car's infotainment system. When you reach home, the suggestion chip displays the soundbar in your home that you can switch media playback to. As you move physically, your phone searches for devices nearby and suggests devices that you can play audio on.



Similar to Samsung's SmartThings Find, Google has its own service to track the location of devices, items, and users (when they are sharing it), and it is called the Find Hub.








The new Google Play Services update brings improvements to item location sharing. Soon, you will be able to share the location of Bluetooth-based item location trackers with airlines to track your lost baggage via a URL. A similar feature is already offered by Apple for AirTags. Since Galaxy SmartTags are not compatible with the Find Hub, they won't work with this new feature.







To install the new Play Services, navigate to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > App Details to get to its Play Store page.


The post Google Play Services update brings two new features to Android devices appeared first on SamMobile.



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