Google introduced the concept of Android Go in 2017 to cater to the users of low-budget Android devices. Since these devices come only with basic features, they needed an operating system to match. Google came up with this lighter version of the Android OS to capture this market segment successfully. Android Go being a trimmed down version supports apps that take up little storage space and use up lesser data. Hence, Android app developers introduced lightweight apps specially designed to run flawlessly on the Go version. A majority of these take up only 50% of the space yet offer the same performance and experience as the usual apps do.
Android Go devices have all the common pre-installed apps that any regular device would have. These include Google Go, Google Maps Go, Gmail Go, Google Assistant Go, Files Go, and YouTube Go. Most of these are progressive web apps, but their availability to these users ensures that they are given the best experiences right in their budget. Users running low-budget devices also deserve to know more about these apps, specifically about how they differ from regular apps for the same platform. Let us pick these apps one by one highlight the differences between Android Go apps and the regular ones.
Google Go vs Google
Google Go is simple, lighter, and much easier to install as compared to its regular counterpart. The major difference relates to the size; while Google Go occupies only 12 MB, Google takes up as much as 166 MB. This makes Go faster to download and update. However, it still includes all the key features such as Maps, Translate, voice search, and GIF. The only feature that users have to compromise is that of Google Feed.
Google Map Go with Google Map
Likewise, Google Go Map occupies merely 0.009 MB on the device memory while the size of Google Map is 48 MB. When it comes to comparing the features, the user is not as much at loss comparing the massive space he can save. The Go app offers real-time location sharing which can be used to plan a route through the low-traffic area. However, it does not provide the navigation functionality. The user can make up for it by installing the Navigation for Google Maps Go app.
Gmail Go and Regular Gmail
Android Go users can also access their email id right from their devices as other users can. Gmail Go is the app that delivers the same functionalities as the regular Gmail but the file size of the former is 24.8 MB, while it occupies 77MB RAM as compared with a whooping 260 MB taken up by Gmail. The interface and features of both the apps are almost the same.
Google Assistant Go and Google Assistant
The good news for Go users is that they can experience the AI-powered voice assistant on their devices with the new Google Assistant Go app. It takes up 17.47 MB upon installation while the standard version is only 800 KB in size but is dependent on the Google search of the device. The smaller version has a few features missing, such as Device Actions, Action on Google, reminders and control for smart home devices. Also, the user has to open the app every single time he wants to use the Assistant.
YouTube Go and YouTube
YouTube Go is an excellent offering for the Go users as it enhances their experiences while saving the data and storage for their small devices. When the user taps on the video, it does not play directly but rather displays the options to play or download it. The Go app takes lesser space of about 29 MB in comparison to the regular YouTube which consumes 122 MB. The RAM size of Go is 74 MB while that of the regular variant is 103 MB. Certain features are missing in the lighter version but the app is still good enough.
Files Go
The regular Android devices do not come with Files Manager. Google has, however, offered the Files Go app to the entry-level devices. Besides being small in size (only 14.41 MB), this app comes with multiple features such as removing duplicate files, clearing low-resolution images, app deletion, and app cache. This means that the user can easily get rid of the redundant documents and files and create more space on the device, which is critical considering the space limitations of the Go devices.
Conclusion
The advent of this version of the platform has changed the face of Android app development. Businesses too are keen on getting ready for this transition as they would like to explore this segment of consumers. Hence, investment in Android Go apps is going to be the need for all businesses that have a mobile presence. They should, therefore, take timely action and connect with a professional application development partner and hire Android developers who can help them to gear up for the Go revolution.
