Because they want developers to use the latest version of their API. And as a user it is a good thing, as the API is getting more restrictive and privacy focused
"Because they want developers to use the latest version of their API."
But the parent commenter's company software did not need to be updated to be useful to the company. Its only purpose was to control hardware made by the company.
As I said, it is useful for the users to have software that is complying with the latest version of the API, and it is good that Google is enforcing it
