Google is innovating the way in which users access apps on their mobile devices.
These days, there's an app for everything. However, no one really wants to download apps they will probably only use once.
You have probably noticed the suggestion to download a particular app when redirected to a website, but opted to just use the Web version to avoid spending a few seconds waiting for the app to install.
However, now, Google is making the Web and app experience more seamless, thanks to its new project.
Unveiled at the I/O developer conference on Wednesday, Google's Android Instant Apps will forever change how you "download" apps in the near future.
Android Instant Apps allows users to run apps without them needing to be installed. Just like how a webpage loads within seconds when tapping on a link, this function will allow a native app for Android to open and load as close to instantly as possible with just a simple tap on a URL.
While this means the app won't require being previously downloaded in order for you to use its features, users have to take into account that there is some loading time involved. Still, it will only take a few seconds for the app to be up and running compared with longer and slower downloads.
For the user, Android Instant Apps means that it will be even more seamless and faster to carry out tasks on your smartphone. For example, say you are on vacation and just parked your car to explore the city streets. You will be able to hold your phone up to the parking meter so that the NFC chip can read your info and bring up the payment app immediately.
You might do a quick Google search for the best new digital cameras to take with you during your summer vacation and be able to instantly open the retailer's app to make the one-time purchase.
For developers, there will no longer be a need to build a separate app in order to take advantage of Google's latest tech. Android Instant Apps uses the same APIs and source code for the operating system. Developers will just have to update their existing app to start using this new functionality. Google says this process can take less than a day.
This project will help developers get more people checking out their app, as those who might not have downloaded it on their own will now have another option besides the Google Play Store to access apps when it becomes available to more than a billion Android users.
So far, Google has a few partners on board that are testing out the new app experience, including: BuzzFeed, B&H Photo, Medium, Hotel Tonight, Zumper and Disney.
Even though Google has big plans when it comes to changing the way users download apps, Android Instant Apps will roll out slowly and is expected to be available to users "later this year."
Source: Android Developers Blog
