Users posted complaints on Reddit saying that Google Play Services v8.3 consumes too much power resulting to rapid battery drain on their devices. The Google Play Services v8.3 update is said to bring new features and a minor bug fix.
The Google Play Services v8.3 is expected to launch soon as its APK file can be downloaded through Android's website. However, some users who have tried the APK don't seem too happy with the update and posted complaints on Reddit. User Steve0mac wrote that the v8.3 update caused his device's battery to drain quickly. Other users have similar concerns, saying that the update reduces 13 percent power in only 30 minutes with the screen off.
A teardown of the Google Play Services v8.3 APK was done by Android Police. It was discovered that some strings added to the code indicate that modifications and new features will be added such as Nearby and Smart Lock modifications, Profile Merge, and Feedback Screenshot Annotations.
In the teardown, the v8.3 APK contained strings that could make Nearby, Smart Lock, and Google accounts work together. It is not yet known what new functionality Google plans to bring with this. It could be that a user's Google account could be integrated with Smart Lock settings.
Another discovery is the appearance of new strings with "profile_merge." It suggests the possibility of an additional function called profile merging which can allow users to combine different profiles into one. The report said that if not done properly, profile merging could do much damage to the device. However, an 'undo' option spotted in the APK could indicate that the profile merging in the v8.3 update is not destructive.
There will also be a new feature that can prove useful to both users and developers: Feedback Screenshot Annotations. This functionality allows users to attach an image or screenshot when sending feedback to developers. With this, developers will more fully understand the context of the feedback submitted by the user. Apps like Play Music could benefit from this feature since they get feedbacks from users to improve their apps.
Aside from possible new features, Tech Times reported that Google Play Services v8.3 update will come with a minor bug fix for the v8.2.98 and .99. The earlier versions were rolled out a few weeks before.
Google has been busy lately with rolling out new devices and Android Marshmallow and creating its own YouTube subscription service. The Google Play Services v8.3 adds to Google's list and is scheduled to launch this month.
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