Why some applications need  a lot more permissions on update on new installation

On a recent update or new installation of some applications, they require plenty of new permissions. Google playstore does not appear to give any explanation for these new requirements. These permissions include Device & app history, Identity, Contacts/Calendar, Location, SMS and Wi-Fi connection information etc. Following are important information related to them.

Device & app history

Retrieve running apps
This is for an upcoming feature where google search results will point/link directly to apps installed on user phone.
Read user Web bookmarks and history.
This is for making Google Now suggestions based on user web habits. For example, user gets updates about Fifa World Cup scores because user has searched for them on the phone before.

Identity

Find accounts on the device.
Should be related to the feature mentioned in Retrieve running apps.
It is also needed to log in with user Google account for the commute sharing feature, to access user web search history, and for app search, if you have any of these features turned on
Add or remove accounts.
Read your own contact card.

Contacts/Calendar

Read phone contacts
Mainly for Google voice commands, such as calling a contact or sending them a message.
Modify phone contacts
Read calendar events plus confidential information
For reminding user about upcoming events.
Add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners' knowledge

Location

Precise location (GPS and network-based)
Approximate location (network-based)
To provide location based suggestions, user get Google Now cards with places to eat nearby, weather reports, Photo spots nearby, etc

SMS

Receive text messages (SMS)
Send SMS messages
To send messages via voice commands
Edit phone text messages (SMS or MMS)
Read phone text messages (SMS or MMS)

Phone

Directly call phone numbers
Make calls via voice commands
Read call log

Photos/Media/Files

Test access to protected storage
Modify or delete the contents of your USB storage

Camera/Microphone

Take pictures and videos
Record audio

Wi-Fi connection information

View Wi-Fi connections

Device ID & call information

Read phone status and identity