Google starts live testing Android Instant Apps

Google's Instant Apps allows users to run Android apps without requiring to install the app on the device. It was previewed at Google's annual I/O conference last year, and is now live for Android users in a limited test format with some select app publishers.

Currently, Instants Apps is only available from BuzzFeed, Wish, Periscope and Viki. Google says that it will expand the experience for more apps based on users' feedback.

With Instant Apps, you can open any app by just tapping on a link and then the link will open a small part of the app, required to carry a specific task, even if the app is not installed on the device. 

You can also access apps (via link associated with an app) from search, social media, messaging and other deep links without installing the app first. Although the app isn't installed on your device, users will be able to use it just like a native app. You will also be able to pay for a item or service with Instant Apps.

One of the advantage of Instant apps is that you don't have to download an app, and store it on your device, which could take up lot of storage space. Moreover, you will not have to download an app to carry out one specific task and then delete it when the task is complete.

"To develop an instant app, you’ll need to update your existing Android app to take advantage of Instant Apps functionality and then modularize your app so part of it can be downloaded and run on-the-fly. You’ll use the same Android APIs and Android Studio project. Today, you can also take some important steps to be ready for Instant Apps development. The full SDK will be available in the coming months" said Aurash Mahbod, Software Engineer, Google Play in a blogpost. 

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