ARCore is Google’s Augmented Mobile Reality platform. It was announced in 2017, with Google later deprecating Tango for the present solution requiring no specific sensors, cameras, or other hardware. Today, Google renamed the Android ARCore app “Google Play AR Services.”
The Play Store listing (spotted via APK Mirror) has been updated by Google with the fresh name today. The description of the app refers to the shift, while explaining that “Google Play Services for AR is an Android package that unlocks augmented reality (AR) experiences built with an ARCore SDK on certified Android devices.”
This package was previously known as ARCore. Install the app and unlock new ways to shop, learn, create and experience the world together.
Despite this shift, with the purple 3D logo still in use, Google does not seem to replace the ARCore branding. Meanwhile, even after making the recent version of the ARCore service accessible for download as an APK or Android emulator, the Google Developers AR page still displays “ARCore” prominently.
This fresh name is more suitable for the service that drives AR characteristics used by Android’s first and third-party applications, as well as introducing fresh features. ARCore has been named too similar to apps with which consumers may expect to communicate directly. It is uncertain whether it will now update Play Services for AR in the background. Users may choose to permit or reject a fresh version at the time.
The recent version of Google Play Services for AR has been maintained by Google with 1.11. Also reference the name change to the release notes on Github:
The ARCore service has been renamed to Google Play Services for AR. On Google Play devices it is now distributed as part of Google Play Services.
