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Using Android Studio (or Eclipse with ADT plugins), when creating a new project (not AVD) what is the difference between the "Compile With" options, for example, API 17: Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) and Google APIs (Google Inc.) (API 17)?

I know the difference between the two when creating an AVD but just wondered what the difference was when it came to creating the base Android app project.

Obviously I know the difference between the different API numbers but just wondered what difference it made when creating a new project.

Thank you.

Mark
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    Repeat of http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5914775/difference-between-target-google-apis-and-target-android/5914828#5914828 – Zack Marrapese Aug 08 '13 at 12:59
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    sometimes when You using projects with libraries (that require Google APIs) you should use Google APIs (Google Inc.) (API 17) – Eugene Pinchuk Aug 08 '13 at 12:59
  • I knew that creating an AVD with the Google APIs included allowed things like Maps and Play Licensing but didn't know what it did when creating a new project and not AVD. – Mark Aug 08 '13 at 13:44

2 Answers2

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The Google API includes Google-specific libraries.

  • API 17: Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) has only android API's for jelly bean

  • Google APIs (Google Inc.) (API 17) has API 17: Android 4.2 + Google API's also that are compatible with android 4.2

Google provides API's for various purposes eg Google Map API for showing Google Map,using GCM in Android App. etc.

If you want to use any such Google feature in app the you need to import Google API's along with normal android API's.By selecting Google APIs(API 17) you import Google libraries compatible for android 4.2

Check out some of the google API's here

Rachita Nanda
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  • I didn't realise you had to base a project on the Google APIs; I would have thought you could include them in your code along the way like any other lib. – Mark Aug 08 '13 at 13:47
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i think the biggest difference is that the GoogleAPI comes along with all the common Google-libraries you could need. for example the GooglePlayServices, etc.

bofredo
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