Android smartphone and tablet users may soon be able to stream mobile apps rather than installing them on their device, according to reports on Thursday.
The Information’s sources (via TechCrunch) claim Google purchased the app streaming start-up Agawi last autumn in order to give users a try-before-you-buy option at the Google Play Store and other portals.
However, according to the report entitled “Google’s War On Apps,” the drive is designed to get users streaming apps rather than downloading them in order to bring people back to the web. In turn, that’ll translate to Google searches and ad revenue.
Seeing as Apple is introducing deep-link app searching within iOS 9, users will be able to find information from within apps, without consulting search engines like Google.
It is also likely Apple will expand this program beyond apps that iPhone and iPad owners currently have installed on their phones to those existing in the App Store too. If this takes off and is widely used by customers, it could cause problems for Google’s main revenue stream.
Read more: Best Android apps: 20 apps to download today
Google is yet to confirm the purchase of Agawi which, in addition to Android app streaming, enables users to stream Windows PC games to iOS and Android devices as well as connected to televisions.
The sources quoted by the Information claim it may take a year for Google to integrate the Agawi tech.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.