Android 16 introduces an exciting new API: `
android.app.appfunctions` 🎉
- Apps can expose specific functions that other apps can invoke, provided they have the BIND_APP_FUNCTION_SERVICE permission.
- Functions support asynchronous processing, enabling efficient handling of requests.
- When invoked, the calling app receives either a successful response, an HTTP-like error code, or a cancellation notification.
🤩Why is this exciting?
GenAI-powered applications, such as assistants like Google Gemini or Perplexity can become significantly more powerful. These assistants can seamlessly interact with other apps installed on your device.
✨Imagine these scenarios:
- A note-taking app exposes a function for adding notes. A user simply instructs a GenAI assistant, "Add ___ to my notes" and the entry automatically appears in their favorite note-taking app.
- A cab booking app provides a function to schedule rides. A user tells the assistant, "Schedule a cab to get me to the airport by ___" and the booking is instantly completed—no taps required!
- A messaging app like WhatsApp exposes a function and the user can just say “Send a WhatsApp message to ____ and remind him about ____” and it’ll just send a message to that contact!
These examples are just the beginning, sky will be a limit!
I'm really excited about the potential of this API and can't wait to see where we go after this😁.
📖Reference:
developer.android.com/refere…
#androiddev #generativeai #mobileapps #assistant #genai #google