Google's app killer is currently available for limited testing

folarin okunola

January 26, 2017 2:15 PM

Some of the apps included in the early trial include BuzzFeed, Periscope, Viki, and Wish but Google says it will be able to "expand the experience" soon.

Instant Apps.

Instant Apps was one of the highlights of the announcements Google made at its I/O developer conference last year, and now the technology is closer to consumers.

Google has announced that it is running a limited test of Instant Apps - which can load a bitesize version of an app without needing to install it - for Android users ahead of a much larger rollout.

Some of the apps included in the early trial include BuzzFeed, Periscope, Viki, and Wish but Google says it will be able to "expand the experience" once it receives more feedback from users.

Whenever you click on a link as an Android user, Instant Apps come into play with an associated app that you haven't already downloaded onto your phone.

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It is not clear just how widespread the initial trial will be or when Google intends to broaden the trial.

Sometime down the line, Google says developers interested in the Instant Apps format will need to update their software with Instant App functionality before "modularizing" it so a small segment can be downloaded and run on the go.

The Software Development Kit (SDK) required for such an update is not available yet, but Google has pointed out some steps developers can take right now, beginning with the trimming of their apps and supporting URL-based navigation.

Google had an event on Instant Apps in Nigeria last year. I didn't attend but from my conversations (and things I've seen online) with people that did leads me to believe Instant Apps will be the future of apps. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

folarin okunola