Google announced new updates to Android Studio, firebase and a brand new system called Instant Apps at it’s I/O conference this year. Here’s a short summary.
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Android Studio:
92% of the top 125 apps use Android Studio to power their apps. Android Studio 2.2 will be bringing more in terms of speed. With increased Build speeds, better test recording which writes up the express test for you and faster new layout designer which automatically detects the constrains and fills it out properly. Constraints layout also doesn’t require nested layouts increasing the speed and performance for app development. The new Studio also brings new APK analyzer, Layout inspector and expansed Android code analysis along with the IntelliJ 2016.1 IDE.
Android Studio brings in support for Enhanced Jack compiler/ Java8 support, Enhanced C++ Support with support for cmake and ndk build systems with better debugging.
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Firebase:
Google also introduced a new generation of Firebase, a company it acquired a few months ago which now enables you to develop apps, grow and earn money all in one suite. The biggest developer update ever made by Google. There is also a new Analytical tool built specifically for apps with cross network distribution, Audiences-whcih helps you to target users and re-engagement campaigns and is available for iOS and Android and will be completely free and unlimited! It also enables targeted notifications and will be free and unlimited.
Firebase now has new crash reporting which is live and can be tracked dynamically as well and the ability to tune and test features using Firebase remote configs for testing at scale. Firebase also brings in Dynamic links for enhanced optimization to app experiences.
To download the new Firebase, go to www.firebase.google.com and is applicable to iOS, Android and the web.
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Android Instant Apps:
Google is also looking to revolutionize the way apps are accessed. For accessing a web link, we just tap on a link and there it is. But for apps you need to install it from the app store. But Google is working on something new called “Android Instant Apps” which does not require installation and can be opened at the tap of a link. Google intelligently recognizes the elements of the app required to showcase a particular link and opens up the app right to where it should be WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INSTALLATION of the app! That is incredible especially considering that the load time was extremely reasonable.
This is possible because the app is split up into modules. Upon request (When you tap a link), Google downloads only the required modules from the play store and instantly displays it. To keep the app, all you need to do is click the “Install” button right at the top of the app. It also seamless integrates payment using Android Pay.
For developers, updating the existing app is simple with a few changes and modularizing the app for Instant Apps functionality. The best part is Instant Apps is backwards compatible all the way to Jelly bean and may take some time to launch to the public.
Google also showed the incredible prowess of Deep Learning in robotics and machine learning enabling creativity in Artificial Intelligence, something that was never thought possible before.
To learn about the other announcements at Google I/O 2016, click here!
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