The success of an Android mobile application may not be measured in the future, or not only, among its downloads. The developers have indeed another way to make available their apps: Instant Apps.
And to execute them, no need for the user to download. Owners of Android devices can get an idea of this application model on Google Play, the official Android app store.
Different apps for different uses
Google has integrated a new option in the form of a button "Try It Now", distinct from the download. Be careful though: not all apps on Google Play are affected. Only a small selection of them are eligible for this test, including NY Times Crossword, Red Bull and Skyscanner.
Last August, Google announced that 500 million devices were compatible with Instant Apps, technology introduced for the first time at the Google I / O 2016 conference.
This is a method of running the application on Google's cloud, and streaming the interface and results to the user's phone. For application editors, this system makes it possible to propose to the web user to go directly to the application rather than the mobile version of the site, without requiring the installation of the complete application on the phone.
The purpose is also to meet the expectations and habits of consumers. The intallation of an app is not always necessary.
"With the mobile application, we will be in the recurrence of use, uses in any circumstance, including possibly in offline mode, in speed of access to the data.With the mobile website, we will be more in the "Instant, ephemeral use [...] What users are saying is wanting the same service, but in a different way," explained Olivier Raveneau of Open at the presentation of the 2017 edition of the barometer of mobile uses.
"To make download a mobile application, it remains complicated." While waiting for a solution erasing their disadvantages, the apps resist. To remove this brake, it is therefore the promise of Google with the Instant Apps.
Especially since publishers can design different apps in Instant Apps mode, run in the browser, and can integrate some features only and not all the features of the main app of the company.
