Google acquires Agawi, apps could be tried without installation

Google has acquired an app streaming startup named Agawi. The company is said to have acquired it last year, which has now been confirmed by Google. Agawi's technology lets users easily preview apps or games by streaming them onto their handsets without installing or downloading them from Google Play.

The Mountain View firm is likely to integrate the app steaming technology into its mobile advertising business and into Google Play for users to try out or preview apps without installing them. This could be in the form of in-app ads or just a preview feature on app listing pages, letting users see if they want to actually buy or download it. The streaming technology could be used for many other purposes as well, including providing app-based services without clients.

Talking about apps, Google this week also brought its Material Design-based Clock app to the Google Play store for non-stock Android users. The offering joins the long list of Google apps that already are available for download from Google Play. Bringing the app to Google Play would make it easier for the search giant to roll out regular upgrades.