Update on #io16 Google's Android Instant Apps

Today marks the last day of Google's I/O 2016 developer conference, the second most awesome event just after CES 2016 which was earlier this year. At Google I/O Google hosts major platform developers, engineers and executives gather to discuss all of the Android goodness to look forward to in the year ahead. Started on the 18th venue being the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California where it all started 10 years ago. 

The Android N, Google’s newest version of its mobile software system, will come packed with super awesome new features I wrote of yesterday. Talk of the dedicated VR platform (everybody is going VR), split-screen mode to run two apps at once for true multi-tasking; Doze for better battery management; and improved notification shade that lets users respond to messages directly from the panel without opening an app. Now let me take you through Android Instant Apps before I get too excited.

Android Instant Apps

One of the best and most fascinating feature for Android N and other Android latest smartphones is "Android Instant Apps", it is super awesome and fast (if not faster!). The fact that I don't have to download and install a fluff app that takes up precious real estate space on my phone's home screen. All I have to do is instead of having to download the app from the Google Play store, then back out to my home screen to open the app, then use it, etc, you click on a link, if that link has an associated Instant App at the URL you get a tiny version of that app instead of the website. It is better than loading up a web page with the same functionality. 

It works because developers can "modularize" their apps so they only serve you the parts that you need for whatever you clicked on — points on a map, a video, some home listings, a payment system, or whatever.you just click on a link of the app and immediately go to a pop-up page that is part of the app and sign up if needed then use it. After using it you can just go back in the browser and its gone.

Instant Apps allow you to do plenty of things, like shopping for items with full checkout experiences and Android Pay, or paying for parking through a parking app that you never intend to install.

 Google is rolling this idea out slowly and only working with select developers at this time, developers like Buzzfeed, B&H Photo, Medium, Hotel Tonight, and Disney. They did say that many developers could have their apps ready for Instant Apps within about a day, though, so converting it into this modular concept may not be all that difficult.

But the Google Play app store is still around... what do you think? Is this the next big thing when it come to apps? Imagine not having to install the apps in your phone that you only get to use one a week? How much storage space will you be saving? Share this article and post your comments below.