Android: Google Analytics as part of Google Play Service

Question

Now that Google Analytics will become part of the Google Play Services 4.3, which changes do we need to expect?

do we still need to include the GoogleAnalytics jar into the Android project?

what about dispatching the data? on this page https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/android/v3/dispatch it's written:

The local dispatch methods referenced in this document have been marked as deprecated due to the forthcoming availability of Google Analytics as part of Google Play Services. Local dispatch methods may still be used in non-Google-experience devices.

but it doesn't explain how dispatching can be managed under the Google Play Services

also, I wonder, is there the risk that some users won't have Google Play Services 4.3 installed, and so can't be tracked by Google Analytics?

Answer 1

The documentation for Google Analytics SDK v4 (now part of Google Play Services) has just been published!

https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/android/v4/

Answer 2

do we still need to include the GoogleAnalytics jar into the Android project?

When it's part of Google Play Services, you'll import Google Play Services's library instead.

but it doesn't explain how dispatching can be managed under the Google Play Services

I think it just means that Google Play Services will make sure the reports will be delivered before the cut-off time, and that we shouldn't need to worry about implementation details.

also, I wonder, is there the risk that some users won't have Google Play Services 4.3 installed, and so can't be tracked by Google Analytics?

Google Play Services is automatically updated in the background, so virtually all devices with Google Play Services installed should be updated (usually the roll-out takes about a few weeks) for 2.3+ devices.

If you worry about those users, or want to Analytics for non-Google devices like Kindle, you can still integrate the standalone library instead.