ChromeOS: Google has secretly replaced some Android apps with PWA

The Google search engine group has started to replace Android apps with Progressive Web Apps (PWA). Chromebook owners can take advantage of this. Although PWAs behave the same way, new applications offer better performance.

With Chrome OS it is possible to install applications from the Google Play Store. In most cases, these are Android apps that are also available for smartphones and tablets running Android. However, there is also the option to start PWAs on Chromebooks. As Chrome Unboxed reports, Google recently replaced YouTube TV and the Twitter app with a PWA without notice.

It is very gratifying to see a) our strategy so clearly understood, and b) some of the most challenging and satisfying engineering work I’ve ever brought to the world. https://t.co/PMPcbsiQB7

– Dominick Ng (@dominickng) April 9, 2020

The application was available before

PWAs are not in themselves innovations, as applications were previously obtainable from the Play Store. However, as of now, applications are selected by default when the user searches for YouTube TV or Twitter and clicks “Install”.

Until now, Google has not officially commented on why Android apps have been replaced by Progressive Web Apps. PWAs consume significantly less resources than Android apps. Also, developers can perform invisible updates because the app only downloads a website and provides some additional features.

At the moment, it’s still unclear whether other Android apps will soon be replaced by PWA versions. It would be conceivable for Google to allow developers to decide which app to provide. Alternatively, it would be possible for the swap to take place automatically and developers would not have to take any further action.

Chrome OS, Chromebook, Medion Akoya S2013, Medion Chromebook