The first few weeks of using a new smartphone, you get a fast device able to open/close and switch between apps swiftly. However, soon as you start installing multiple apps while uninstalling some, things start getting slow, and your phone keeps freezing albeit occasionally.
The fact is, installing apps on your smartphone leads to a clogged up, slow, and freezing device. While there are various workarounds this problem such as ditching installing native apps for the hybrid web apps. Having an app that completely runs online would go further in unclogging your phone.
Glu Mobile Inc., a game developer, is currently working on enabling future games stream to user devices and played without having first to download. As it works out, apps will be streamed from a link sent via SMS, email, or message on social media.
More revenues to Developers by streaming apps compared to downloads
Stats by ComScore Inc show that 50% of users do not download any app in any given month; and on average, the typical user downloads just two apps. As developers (devs) with blockbuster apps, what is standing between you and monetizing your apps big time. Is users skepticism to try out new apps, and by trying out it means they must first download and install the app to give it a go.
Already the user might have a couple of apps already installed, and already it is clogging and slowing down their smartphone. So chances of them searching through the apps store and try out a new app are slim. Their smartphones feel bloated with the apps they already have!
The advantage of streaming is that the user never has to install anything to their device. Meaning their device’s resources are running at peak performance and the user can afford to go out on a rampage trying out new apps; chances of them installing a new app increases tenfold.
The second advantage streaming apps has to developers, is that increases their profit margin. Currently, apps store such as Google Play Store and Apple’s iTunes charge publishers as much as 30% of the revenues earned from their apps. If a dev were to shift from putting their apps on apps, store for downloads and stream it directly to the users. The percentage of revenue being taken by apps store will go to the devs.
Although devs will still need the 3rd party services to enable, them to stream their apps, such as the California-based 1APP. A startup that launched a cloud-based mobile OS (OneOS) that enables Instant App Access, with no need for downloads.
“By deploying apps through OneOS, apps become instantly accessible leading to higher consumption and engagement with audiences. For most apps this may be the only way they will ever get used,” said 1APP CEO and co-founder Raheel Hasan.
“The last ten years have seen tremendous advancements in mobile hardware as well as the breadth and the number of available apps, but how people get and use apps has not seen any innovation. It is still the same old process, you have to go to the store, find the app, decide if it is worth installing and then download it. While the rest of the mobile ecosystem has progressed, the outdated app store paradigm is creating a tremendous amount of friction, thereby limiting app usage and holding back developers and consumers alike. That’s why we created OneOS.”
The ability to stream apps means, the same app can be used across different platform. Meaning developers will have to develop just one app that will be used across Android, iOS, and other platforms.
Biggest Challenge to Streaming Apps
While the benefits of streaming apps are significant from both users and developers point of view. It does suffer from a major drawback; unreliable internet connection that may not always be available. To use instant apps/streaming apps, you need constant and fast internet connection. Something that is either expensive or unavailable, especially in emerging markets, rural areas, and even crowded places like the train station and stadiums where many people are trying to connect at the same time.