Why would you choose Android API over Google APIs in the SDK on Eclipse?

Question

When you create an android project in Eclipse, you have to choose which platform to compile with. You can choose API 17 (Android 4.2) or Google APIs (API 17).

From m

Answer 1

Google APIs includes some extra things like Maps. It is optional, and some people don't want to download the extra stuff. The examples use the non-API version in case the person downloading the sample didnt download the Google APIs.