The way we download and install apps could soon change: Google will use artificial intelligence to optimize the installation.
We've been talking about this feature for a few weeks now (as we told you here) and now it seems to be on its way: we're talking about "App install optimization", that is, the optimized installation of apps on Android via the Play Store.
Unlike you might think, however, this news is not contained in the Android 12 beta that is already circulating among developers but in the latest versions of the Play Store app, from 24.9.19-21 onwards. However, it also seems that despite many users having updated the app to a recent version only those with Google Pixel smartphones are able to take advantage of it (and not even all of them). It would be, therefore, a so-called "partial rollout" of the new feature that, however, now seems really close to mass diffusion.
What is App install optimization
With App install optimization Google introduces the possibility to make partial installations of apps, in order to reduce installation time and data consumed for downloading. This feature is based on "federative" artificial intelligence: every time a user installs an Android app, it starts recording how he or she uses it.
This is done in order to divide the app into several packages, containing the most or least used functions. When enough data is available, then, the next users who want to download the app, the Play Store offers to download only the essential parts of the app.
The privacy issue
This new feature brings with it some doubts about privacy: Google, in order to know how an app is used immediately after download and installation, must observe and record user behavior and send the collected data to its servers.
This is potentially sensitive information, which can also have an economic value if sold for advertising purposes and that, of course, Google will collect in an absolutely anonymous way.