One of the perks of a web app is that users won’t need to download the app onto their phone, so if storage is an issue for you then web apps are probably a lifesaver. At the same time there are also companies who have created web apps but not native apps, meaning that it can be troublesome and inconvenient for some users.The good news is that if you’re using Opera on Android, there is a special labs build of Opera that has been released by its developers. With the release comes an experimental feature in which users will be able to download and install web apps onto their Android’s home screen, thus allowing them to access the app without having to navigate to the website.
While this might be a useful feature for users, Opera also believes it will be beneficial for developers too. “We’re very excited about Installable Web Apps, as it bridges the gap between native and web apps in a most elegant way: it allows you to build applications using the full web stack that run in the browser as well as outside of it, without sacrificing crucial functionality like hyperlinking, and without the need for app stores or gatekeepers.”
They also claim that it does away with distribution lag meaning that when an update is available and pushed onto the server, everyone should be able to get it right away without the need to wait for it to be approved in the app store or arrive in their country. If this sounds like something you wouldn’t mind trying it out for yourself, head on over to Opera’s website (you will need to access this via your phone) for the download.