iOS 14 Might Allow Users to Partially Interact With Apps Without Installing Them

Thursday April 9, 2020 10:19 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple is developing a new feature that would allow users to interact with select content and experiences in third-party apps without needing to have the apps installed, according to an early build of iOS 14 obtained by 9to5Mac.

Android Slices

The report claims a new API referred to as "Clips" in iOS 14 code would enable users to scan a QR code linked to an app and then interact with content from that app via a floating card on the screen. The card would display options to download the full version of the app from the App Store or to open the content in the app if it is already installed.

Android has a similar feature named "Slices":

Slices are UI templates that can display rich, dynamic, and interactive content from your app from within the Google Search app and later in other places like the Google Assistant. Slices can help users perform tasks faster by enabling engagement outside of the fullscreen app experience.

Apple is said to be testing the new feature with OpenTable, Yelp, DoorDash, YouTube, and Sony's PS4 Second Screen app.

Related Roundups: iOS 14, iPadOS 14

Tag: 9to5mac.com

Top Rated Comments

Joniz

12 months ago

Letting me interact with iOS updates before downloading them would be great.

Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Rogifan

12 months ago

I wish we’d get a rumor that Apple is making text selection better. For sure with iPhones but also iPads where no physical keyboard or mouse/trackpad is present. Apple removed 3D Touch but what they replaced it with is not a proper replacement.

Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

iRutherford

12 months ago

Great if true! I keep installing useless junk because they look good in screenshots, only to delete them right after.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dannyyankou

12 months ago

iOS 14 sounds like it's going to be big

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

GeoStructural

12 months ago

OMG if you’re that unhappy why don’t you go with Android?

He is probably invested in the ecosystem, paid a lot for his device and wants a good experience, why is that too much to ask? Ffs.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

CarlJ

12 months ago

The only iOS feature I want is a camera feature android has. Specifically, aspect ratio selection, so when in still camera mode, you can use the physical full screen of your phone & not have portioned off bezels.

Do you really care more about having the image cropped to fit the display while shooting the picture, than about having the phone use the full size of the image sensor available? You can always crop later.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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