Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Anyone using App clips yet?

Abazigal

Abazigal

Contributor
Original poster
Jul 18, 2011
20,491
24,142
Singapore
Am curious, because there seems to have been very little fanfare regarding this feature. Nobody seems to be talking about it. Not here, not on reddit, google search isn’t turning up anything of substance.

Do share if you are currently using this feature in any meaningful way. Would appreciate some inspiration of my own.
 
I am not sure that many developers have really launched functionality for it yet. I’ve wondered the same thing. I love the idea because there are so many times that I need an app for a limited time or use, and I don’t really want to permanently have it on my phone.

I hope the idea takes off.
 
Seriously, where are all the app clips? I’ve been waiting. I get annoyed with every restaurant wanting me to download their app and give them all my info. I just want to be able to open a temporary app, Sign In with Apple, securely use Apple Pay, and be done with it—with minimal footprint and information given.
I suppose I answered my own question. Businesses don’t want anonymous customers, they want as much information as possible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thewhitehart and PaladinGuy
I haven’t used one, but I HAVE seen the QR code for one and it had directions to tell you what to do. Can’t remember which one it was, but it was a gas station and on all of the pumps.
 
Seven months from last post here, and still 'Nope'.
But then, there are Apple apps built into iOS I've never used either, and likely never will.
 
I haven't but I remember a friend of mine said he was able to pay his bill at a restaurant using one. I would love that!
 
TheSkywalker77 said:
I forgot they existed.
Click to expand...

They basically don’t. I have yet to notice a single company use them. I’m the age of mobile computing, they’re priority is getting you to engage with their app. Downloading a temporary clip won’t cut it for them.

Sad, too. I was thrilled when they announced the feature.
 
PaladinGuy said:
They basically don’t. I have yet to notice a single company use them. I’m the age of mobile computing, they’re priority is getting you to engage with their app. Downloading a temporary clip won’t cut it for them.

Sad, too. I was thrilled when they announced the feature.
Click to expand...

There is a growing market of people that don't want download another app, create another login, think up and remember another password, enter credit card information into, etc etc just to get their 3rd pizza deliver place app.

The intention is nearly the opposite of your statement. Google made "Instant Apps" (their version of Apples App Clips) back in 2016-2017 to increase app engagement. An Instant App and App Clip not only gives a hassle free method of buying a product but its a preview of the full app. If your Instant App/App Clip experience is good and the product was good you will be more likely to download the full app to access all the features and use in the future.

So taking one of the very few food examples Panera Bread...

You can open the App Clip right from maps with Order Panera Bread..

IMG_22F6032F089C-1.jpeg

You can just order your food and go however they are given the opportunity to advertise their app and give you easy access to download it....

IMG_0418170BBD34-1.jpeg

Finally when its all said and done the App Clip icon (dashed boarder) will be in your Recently Added folder.

IMG_7A4AB7605480-1.jpeg


But its not just limited to ordering products for pick up. For example goto this link in Safari on an iPhone....

Elloveo

Elloveo is a start-up funded by the National Science Foundation, building a touch-based, mobile game to intuitively teach the basics of electricity and magnetism to children aged 6+.
www.elloveo.com www.elloveo.com

That App Clip is a demo/free trial of a 5 dollar science "game". Since the App Clip is part of the app once you beat it you will be presented with buying and downloading the full app without the need to delete the demo/free trial.

IMG_8FA0239BBCF1-1.jpeg

Two more useful examples would be ParkWhiz and SignEasy apps. ParkWhiz is a way to pay for parking, the app is just the gateway. Using the app for paying for parking just feels like a solution looking for a problem, with App Clip you tap the NFC and you are good to go. SignEasy is a legally binding e-signature app, which is a pain if you only need to use it 2 times in your life. However with App Clips, scan a QR code, sign your document electronically, verify via Apple....done.

I think a lot more marketing needs to be done on the App Clips in general to get more devs on board.
 
  • Like
Reactions: big samm, PaladinGuy and MisterSavage
cynics said:
There is a growing market of people that don't want download another app, create another login, think up and remember another password, enter credit card information into, etc etc just to get their 3rd pizza deliver place app.
Click to expand...
That would be me. I have hundreds of apps on my phone. The most appealing scenario to me is a business I wouldn't normally visit because I'm traveling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: subjonas and PaladinGuy
cynics said:
There is a growing market of people that don't want download another app, create another login, think up and remember another password, enter credit card information into, etc etc just to get their 3rd pizza deliver place app.

The intention is nearly the opposite of your statement. Google made "Instant Apps" (their version of Apples App Clips) back in 2016-2017 to increase app engagement. An Instant App and App Clip not only gives a hassle free method of buying a product but its a preview of the full app. If your Instant App/App Clip experience is good and the product was good you will be more likely to download the full app to access all the features and use in the future.

So taking one of the very few food examples Panera Bread...

You can open the App Clip right from maps with Order Panera Bread..

View attachment 1818473

You can just order your food and go however they are given the opportunity to advertise their app and give you easy access to download it....

View attachment 1818474

Finally when its all said and done the App Clip icon (dashed boarder) will be in your Recently Added folder.

View attachment 1818475


But its not just limited to ordering products for pick up. For example goto this link in Safari on an iPhone....

Elloveo

Elloveo is a start-up funded by the National Science Foundation, building a touch-based, mobile game to intuitively teach the basics of electricity and magnetism to children aged 6+.
www.elloveo.com www.elloveo.com

That App Clip is a demo/free trial of a 5 dollar science "game". Since the App Clip is part of the app once you beat it you will be presented with buying and downloading the full app without the need to delete the demo/free trial.

View attachment 1818478

Two more useful examples would be ParkWhiz and SignEasy apps. ParkWhiz is a way to pay for parking, the app is just the gateway. Using the app for paying for parking just feels like a solution looking for a problem, with App Clip you tap the NFC and you are good to go. SignEasy is a legally binding e-signature app, which is a pain if you only need to use it 2 times in your life. However with App Clips, scan a QR code, sign your document electronically, verify via Apple....done.

I think a lot more marketing needs to be done on the App Clips in general to get more devs on board.
Click to expand...

I think you’re correct, but I think it’s hard for some business leaders to pivot to new strategies and technologies. Some companies are better positioned to take advantage of things like clips.

If they get you to use their application, they’re better able to market to you consistently and capture more sales. Hopefully, App Clips will increasingly force them to really earn that relationship and make their apps more and more useful and user friendly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: subjonas
It’s been slow, but I think App Clips will really take off soon. I’ve been noticing more and more examples lately. Just yesterday I was at a restaurant and a yelp app clip was suggested that pulled up the whole menu. And more and more restaurants are suggesting them lately, like Taco Bell and Buffalo Wild Wings
 
  • Like
Reactions: MisterSavage
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back