Hacker News Reader

Comment by sentientslug | Hacker News Reader

As for the first point, Apple has a solution called App Clips (https://developer.apple.com/app-clips/) however I have never seen it in the wild even here in the Bay Area. Some commenters last time it was mentioned said they’ve used it at gas stations? I’m not sure if Android has anything conceptually similar.

View on HN

I think "Instant Apps"[1] are/were meant to be the Android analog, but I haven't seen them used anywhere.

Also can't find any proof that they are still a thing... except for this[2] sketchy looking app that has 1 billion+ downloads, offered by "Google Play Store"

[1] https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7683278

[2] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and...

I think Vimeo has one, whenever I click a link it always loads in a small app.

https://vimeo.com/761107839

I think this is the current developer page:

https://developer.android.com/topic/google-play-instant/over...

Now renamed to Google Play Instant, but still ok for apps (I think?)

that's because wether instant apps works is wildly inconsistent across phones. we learned that the hard way.

Ah, thanks for that. I had no idea how the following worked, but it was quite heavenly. Was at a restaurant who dropped the bill on my table after dining. It had a standard receipt on a black tray like you'd see anywhere in the US. But the receipt had a QR code along with a note about Apple Pay. I thought, "Hey I'd rather do Apple Pay than give them a CC so I scanned it.

I was prompted with one of those App Clip interfaces, double-clicked to approve the Apple Pay, and done.

It was such a nice experience, no nagging prompts forcing me to download some crappy App. Just a simple clean, Apple Pay checkout.

Note I agree with TFA about QR menus. But this level of phone integration was the perfect amount on top of a traditional dining experience.

The only time I’ve ever used this was trying to buy something in person at an Apple Store. Scan a QR code, something like the store app pops up, payment doesn’t work, staff can’t figure out what’s wrong. Waste 10 minutes and finally realize I’d deleted the full app because I never use it.

Not a great experience.

They’re extraordinarily convenient; a cafe I enjoy uses it for the total bill. Instead of handing off your physical card, the QR code presents your bill within the app clip, complete with apple pay (or enter your card details), done.

presents your bill for you, with the waiter splitting the tab for you.

I usually go solo, unless you’d like to join me sometime :)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com