In brief
Android Instant Apps lets users try apps without downloading the full application, saving phone storage and making testing easier. In this 2017 article, Google reports access on more than 500 million devices, a 130% increase in user time for Vimeo and a 27% rise in Jet's conversion rate.
At the 2016 I/O conference, Google announced Android Instant Apps and showcased it as one of the features of Android Nougat . Similar to Google's own mini apps, it allows users to experience an app's main features without downloading the full application onto their devices. However, perhaps because expectations for Instant Apps were too high and the process was unusually complicated, when Nougat was officially released last year, Google seemed not to have been fully prepared, which appears to have slowed the rollout of Android Instant Apps. That situation now seems likely to improve soon. Google says it has begun preparations to enable support for Instant App on phones and tablets running Android 7.0. The most appealing feature of Instant App is that users can briefly try a particular app on their smartphones without downloading it. This can undoubtedly address a range of problems currently facing the Android operating system.
Google says that, as of recently, more than 500 million devices can access Android Instant Apps. Limited testing began in January this year, with apps。
such as BuzzFeed, Wis, Periscope and Viki adapted to support it at the time.
In May, Google opened Android Instant Apps to all developers, helping the technology reach a wider audience. In just 2 months, the number of devices supporting Android Instant Apps reached 500 million—an encouraging figure.
Android Instant Apps offers practical benefits. For example, when a user urgently needs a particular app but cannot download it in full because of certain constraints, its value becomes clear. It helps users save storage space on their phones and removes the need to install and then manage the app. In addition, consumers do not need to pay for an app before trying to download it, making it easier for developers to invite users to test the application. Put simply, it works by converting an app into a mobile web page, which users then access and use through a browser.
At this stage, the Instant Apps format is supported by well-known services including Vimeo, Jet, Realtor.com and NYTimes Crosswords. It also works on most Android devices, rather than being limited to Nougat, as the service is built on Google Play Services. Google says Android Instant Apps helped Vimeo increase the time users spent on its service by 130%, while Jet's conversion rate rose by 27%.
Android Instant App Is Coming Soon: Try Apps Without Downloading Them!