Android Instant Apps are now starting to become available for Android device owners. Although, at the moment they are only becoming available in a limited capacity, as the current rolling out forms the basis of a ‘limited testing’ phase. As such, Instant Apps are only available right now for BuzzFeed, Wish, Periscope, and Viki. Although, it is expected that following the testing phrase and providing no major issues are noted, the plan is to “expand the experience to more apps and more users.”
In the latest blog post from Google on today’s availability, Google does note that Android Instant Apps are “an important part” of the company’s goal to help Android device owners “discover and run apps with minimal friction.” Google notes that they have been working recently with a number of developers to fine-tune the experience and the apps already mentioned above, form the fruits of that early development process. For app developers who would like to offer Instant Apps support to their app(s), Google notes that they can now start preparing to take advantage of the Instant Apps support. Firstly, developers will need to modify (and modularize) their existing app(s) so that the essential part of the app can be downloaded and is able to run independently – without the need for a full download. The developers blog posting also does confirm that the full SDK with Android Instant Apps support will become available to the community “in the coming months.”
Android Instant Apps was first previewed by Google during last year’s Google I/O event and they mark an interesting change in the way in which users interact with apps on their Android devices. Offering benefits to both the end user and the app owner. From the end user perspective, Android Instant Apps are able to run without requiring a full app download, which if nothing else, should mean the app content is able to be engaged with significantly quicker. While from the app owner point of view, such a level of app integration, will likely lead to greater levels of app usage, or at the very least, heightened levels of app content consumption.