App clips, coming with iOS 14, open a small part of an app needed at a specific moment
During Apple's WWDC stream today, the company announced a new shortcut called app clips that get iPhone users to the part of an app they need faster than ever before. Think of it as a way to use a special part of an app on demand. Through a special app clip code, NFC, or a QR code, an app clip can be summoned. For example, let's say that you're parking your car at a meter. Using NFC, only the part of a particular app that you need to pay for the parking spot will show up in a box on the bottom of your iPhone. There is support for Apple Pay so you can have your spot paid for in the blink of an eye without tapping in a credit card number, and using "Sign in with Apple," there is no need to type in an account number.
Use app clips and Apple Pay to quickly rent a scooter
Or let's say that you and your pal come across two scooters that you can rent. Again, using a special code, NFC, or a QR code, you can bring up an app clip. To rent the scooter, tap Apple Pay, and using Sign in with Apple, there is no account number to punch in. Once you're done with the app clip, it closes. "It's all about getting to the part of an app the moment you need it," said Apple software chief Craig Federighi while introducing the feature.
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Not only is this feature all about making things faster and easier for an iPhone user, it is also about users' sampling apps. Apple tells developers, "To make it easier for users to get your full app, you can present an option for download at an appropriate time in your app clip." Apple says app clips are perfect for businesses that already have an app in the App Store. But what about smaller outfits that don't have their own app? Apple took care of this by working with Yelp to create an app clip for every business that Yelp deals with. Using part of an app, the SDK and Xcode, developers will be able to create app clips.
Keep in mind that this is completely different than the Apple Clips app. The latter is a video editing app that allows users to use a variety of effects while creating a video selfie. These videos can be shared with others on social media.
So we will leave you with Apple's own description of app clips. "App clips are a great way for users to quickly access and experience what your app has to offer. An app clip is a small part of your app that’s discoverable at the moment it’s needed. App clips are fast and lightweight so a user can open them quickly. Whether they're ordering take-out from a restaurant, renting a scooter, or setting up a new connected appliance for the first time, users will be able to start and finish an experience from your app in seconds. And when they’re done, you can offer the opportunity to download your full app." So who is looking forward to the launch of iOS 14?
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