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I was just reading an article and in trying to understand part of it I thought I'd ask for opinion on here as I really appreciate some of the great minds that work with Modx. So whilst not directly related to Modx I'd like to know your thoughts about the following statement....
"This upcoming year is the optimal time for site owners to begin researching and developing an application to serve website content through. When app streaming hits the mainstage, you’ll be glad you jumped on the bandwagon early enough to stake out your claim."
...which can be read in full in this article:
http://www.sitepronews.com/2016/12/14/predictions-for-googles-2017-seo-shakeups/
I'm really just trying to understand it and also trying to think about how it would work with Modx
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I think this is really a way for existing mobile apps to work without the user having to download and install the app. If I'm reading the discussion correctly, all it does is install the app at Google and let anyone with a WiFi connection run it from their phones with no app installed (according the the article, people not connected to WiFi -- which is a crapload of mobile users much of the time -- would be SOL).
If I'm right, you'd have to write an actual mobile app and work out a deal with Google to host it. It would rarely make sense to turn your already working, mobile-friendly web site into an app, assuming that this even catches on, so I don't see much of a role for MODX in this trend.
Maybe I'm missing something.
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I think you're right Bob. I'm trying to understand Google's strategy here and it really seems strange to me. When you sit it alongside Google AMP, it gets even more confusing. I'm doing 'everything' Google asks by building responsive websites that use minimal resources and now they seem to be intent on introducing another level, if this prediction is correct.
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Ah right so it sounds like 'Progressive Web Apps' is my missing link and it now makes sense but in a real world situation where I'm searching for say, local products or services on the web are they suggesting that I download an app and launch it from my home screen? Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding but they seem to be saying that static content will be served via an app on my mobile/handheld home screen? I feel really silly for asking but am I not just going to end up with hundreds of apps to search through on my screen, before I can get to information that isn't dynamic but static?
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I don't think so. If I'm understanding it, the goal is just the opposite. I have a crapload of Apps on my phone, but with Google's plan, maybe I could just point my browser to google.com/someApp and it would run from there (probably with the option of a shortcut on the phone screen).
In a way, it makes sense. Why have the app code stored on zillions of phones when there could be one copy that can be run by anyone with WiFi. Not only does it free up phone memory, but you don't have to be constantly updating your apps.
Obviously, a real Web App done it MODX is a good alternative, but what if you're a company that's already developed a great phone app and are tired of having to update a version for each phone OS, and having every update break the App on a certain percentage of phones? In theory, you just send a copy of the App to Google, and they do the rest. In practice, who knows.
That said, remember that Google is famous for developing lots of projects, many (most?) of which are abandoned.
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Thank for the input. I think I'm going to have to do a bit more reading. I can't help but think we're all going to be affected by this even though I know Google's track record is patchy for this kind of thing. They're almost saying "This is the kind of web we want you to live in" but in reality they often get overtaken by other technologies that do it better.
I think this section is well worth a read and has helped me understand a little more:
https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/instant-and-offline/offline-ux
