In a progressive move aimed at enhancing cross-platform compatibility, Google has unveiled a state-of-the-art tool allowing Android apps to run on virtually any smart device, be it Linux, OSX or Windows powered. Dubbed “Arc Welder”, this groundbreaking technology has been hailed particularly by the developer community for its potential to streamline the process of running applications on varied devices. According to an exclusive report by BBC Technology, one seasoned app developer emphasized the superiority of creating apps that can run “natively” instead of relying on separate software.
Decoding Native Code
The intriguing journey of the App Runtime for Chrome, or Arc, began in late 2014. Originally conceived as a conduit to facilitate the running of Android apps on machines using Google’s trademark Chrome Operating System(OS), the utility of Arc was not relegated merely to netbooks and small machines manufactured by Google and its hardware associates.
Fast forward to the present, Google has created a fresh tool christened as Arc Welder. Unlike its predecessor, this tool has the capacity to convert Android apps into versions accessible not only via the Chrome OS but also the Chrome browser. To augment its functionality, Google ingeniously incorporated support for numerous Google Play services. This ensures that converted apps continue to maintain access to essential features such as payment systems, maps, and more.
In a detailed document intended for developers, Google delineated how Arc Welder is based on robust underlying technology. This foundation allows the converted apps to run with almost the same speed comparable to their performance on a phone or a tablet.
The advent of Arc Welder represents Google’s attempt to aid developers in propagating their innovative creations across a significant multitude of platforms. However, there are some developers who expressed skepticism over Arc Welder’s ability to fulfill this ambitious endeavor.
Sam Furr, a respected figure in the app development industry and co-founder of The App Developers, asserts, “The most efficacious approach to app construction is to build them natively using the tools available. Deviating from these time-tested development systems could imply a compromise in some inherent app functionalities like touch combinations. The efficacy of a converted app running via a browser in a separate operating system might also be questionable when compared with a native app.”
Evidently, executing a mobile app on a desktop could lead to the elimination of certain features. This is primarily due to larger computers lacking standard features present in smartphones, such as accelerometers and GPS receivers.
Despite these potential shortcomings, Furr acknowledged the allure of reaching different operating systems with just one app. “The ability to widen the reach and accessibility of your app across multiple platforms is certainly an appealing prospect. However, the practicality and time efficiency of this process can often be a matter of concern,” he added.
Furr emphasized that while numerous cross-platform frameworks abound in the market, they might potentially fall short in delivering a product akin to one built natively. The takeaway here is to balance the need for broader reach with adherence to native development principles.
Paul Femi Balo is the founder and publisher of TechBooky. He covers artificial intelligence, African technology, digital infrastructure, enterprise technology and the global digital economy.
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