Ever dreamed of coming up with your own mobile app but didn't know how? Well, Google is giving you an easy way to do it. The internet giant recently launched App Maker, which will allow anyone - even non-tech experts - to create basic apps, particularly for use within businesses.
The App Maker is Google's entry into the market for creating apps that involve drag-and-drop development, TechCrunch reports. Google's App Maker lets users build an app interface and put data into it from services that offer an API such as Google Maps, Contacts, Groups, and other G Suite applications.
This means app developers can create apps without having to code, and design them simply by dragging and dropping widgets. According to Google, the App Maker has features like built-in templates, point-and-click data, and a UI editor with a drag-and-drop system. It also provides support for HTML, CSS, Javascript, and Google's material design so that developers can come up with beautiful apps in the shortest possible time.
The App Maker is based on the same system that Google uses to create its own apps, according to Fast Company. Google has been polishing that system in the last year to make it accessible to customers and companies.
One of App Maker's advantages is that it uses Google's data infrastructure, which powers services like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive. Because of this, developers need not concern themselves with building their own system for running their apps, Venture Beat explains.
One of its uses is for companies that want to collect information from their employees using their own app. Fast Company says they can create a database and store it in Google Drive, and then put together an app that incorporates elements like text fields, calendars, and views from Google Maps.
With the App Maker, Google is competing with similar services that aim to make software development easier and faster. There's Microsoft PowerApps, for instance. Google, however, is aiming to set itself apart by supporting technologies and functionalities that it already has.
