Google AI Studio adds tools to build Android apps in minutes

In short: Google says its Google AI Studio website can now generate native Android apps in minutes, not weeks.

What happened

Google announced new app-building features inside Google AI Studio, a web tool you use in a browser. Google says the tool can create “native” Android apps, meaning apps that run like normal phone apps, not just simple web pages.

Google says the goal is to cut down the usual time spent on setup and early coding. The company positions this for both experienced developers who want a quick draft and first-time creators who do not want to start from scratch.

People can preview and tap through the app using an Android Emulator inside the browser (an emulator is like a pretend phone on your computer). To try it on a real device, users can install it on an Android phone using a USB cable. Google also says AI Studio can prepare an app listing and upload the app to an internal testing track in Google Play Console, which is Google’s dashboard for managing apps.

For now, Google says these AI-made apps are meant for personal use. Sharing with family and friends and deeper add-ons like Firebase (Google’s set of back-end tools, like sign-ins and databases) are planned for later.

Why it matters

This could make it easier for more people to turn a simple idea into a working Android app, like a personal tool or a small group app. It also adds to a growing list of tools that use AI to help write software, which may change who can build apps and how quickly early versions can be tested.

Source: TechCrunch AI