Which one to choose as Project build target ? Google APIs or SDK platform

Question

I have been searching but couldn't find the difference between both of these things. I have read other questions in which people have said that we should use Google Apis as build target when we want to integrate Google Maps Api or use other Google apis.

The problem is that i am using maps on projects that were build on simple Android 4.4 not Google API (platform 4.4) and the maps are working just fine on my Galaxy s3.

How are they possibly working?

And if they are working then what is the difference between Google APIs and SDK platform? Or is the difference only related to emulators?

Answer 1

It is really pointless to use the Google API's now because most if not all things included in that have been deprecated and moved to google play services. Selecting Google API will not do anything except maybe increase the size of your program. The difference being is in addition to the 4.4 SDK you would also get all the Google API stuff with it

Answer 2

The google API includes Google Maps and other Google-specific libraries. The Android one only includes core android libraries.

As for which one to choose, I would go with the Android API until you find that you need the Google API; such as when you need Google Maps functionality.

http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/index.html is a link to the Google API page.

Answer 3

You don't need (but it won't hurt you) to use Google APIs if you use Google Maps Android API v2. Google APIs is for when you work with deprecated Google Maps Android API v1 or you program USB.