Instant Apps?

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gzt

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#213996 23-Apr-2017 09:04

I started Google Maps and this triggered some kind of update. "Updating Instant Apps".

My first thought was hang on i never installed anything by that name. I open the play store to check. Play Store looks different. Some googling later i understand it is some kind of Google update. Strange way to install it. I initially thought it was malware.

So, what is this thing called Instant Apps and how and why did the play store update?

MadEngineer

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#1769138 23-Apr-2017 09:15

Sounds like what's been mentioned in the media before - you can now trial an app without installing it.

Do you not have automatic updates on?

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

gzt

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#1769142 23-Apr-2017 09:43

I don't.

dafman

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#1769153 23-Apr-2017 10:21

I don't have auto update on, but noticed a couple of days ago, when I picked up my phone, that "instant apps" was downloading in the background. Weird I thought, I don't have an app by that name. After download finished, I tried to find the app, but couldn't. Worried this might be malware, I jumped on Google and discovered, as above, it is a Google service for trialing apps.

gzt

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#1771108 27-Apr-2017 10:08

Another "Updating instant apps.." today. A few seconds later some store app updates were notified. Maybe this is the new play store update method?

MadEngineer

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#1771109 27-Apr-2017 10:08

Pretty sure this has been covered already

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

muppet

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#1771989 28-Apr-2017 15:51

Play Services apps will always auto update like this.

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

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nzkiwiman

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#1774760 3-May-2017 09:24

Google lead me to this thread. Due to issues with the auto updating of apps, I have a) auto update turned off and b) download over WiFi only

So when I picked up my phone (connected to 2Degrees) I was surprised/concerned to see that "Instant Apps" was updating it. Like the OP, I had no idea what Instant Apps was ...

Now I know ... still annoying that the phone auto updates an app when I have told it not to

ANglEAUT

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#1774790 3-May-2017 09:58

dafman: ... and discovered, as above, it is a Google service for trialing apps.

I thought is was not so much for trialing apps, but initially only downloading only the bits that you need to start up the app. Need more functionality, download more bits. This was a way to cut down on the initial download time & amount.

For example, if I downloaded a racing game, it would download track 1 and the initial car only. Then, if I progress to track 2, it would download that on demand and when back on Wi-Fi it would download track 3 - xx in the background.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

muppet

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#1774792 3-May-2017 10:01

IcI:

dafman: ... and discovered, as above, it is a Google service for trialing apps.

I thought is was not so much for trialing apps, but initially only downloading only the bits that you need to start up the app. Need more functionality, download more bits. This was a way to cut down on the initial download time & amount.

For example, if I downloaded a racing game, it would download track 1 and the initial car only. Then, if I progress to track 2, it would download that on demand and when back on Wi-Fi it would download track 3 - xx in the background.

No, instant apps are a way to get the "app experience" without having to actually download the app. What happens is a very minimal version of the app is actually downloaded and run, using the Instant Apps framework (the one that's auto-downloading, upsetting people). The idea is that Yelp reviews would open in the Yelp App, even if it's not installed. But of course there's very limited app functionality.

More details about Instant Apps