Google Play Store Can Finally Update Multiple Apps At Once 22
The Google Play Store is now rolling out support for downloading up to three Android app updates simultaneously, addressing a long-standing limitation where apps could only be downloaded one at a time. 9to5Google reports: We're seeing simultaneous app update downloads working in the Google Play Store today across multiple devices, and a few of our readers are seeing the same behavior this week as well. It's unclear if this is a server-side change on Google's part or an update to the Play Store itself, but the functionality is much appreciated. As far as we can tell, you can download up to three app updates at once through the Play Store. The apps will start to download, with only anything beyond three showing the "Pending" status that we're all so used to seeing in the Play Store. This matches the App Store on iOS which can also download up to three apps at once. The same limit of three also now applies to new app installs, which was previously limited to two at a time.
For when you get the urge (Score:2)
to keep your Android device updated lightning fast.
The truth is even less complimentary than that. (Score:2)
I (as I'm sure many other here) have owned multiple Android devices. Updating one app at a time seems quick enough until you realize how long it's taking to update how little actual data. At the end of the day, I suspect that they've taken ten one-minute updates (for example) and converted that so now it will be one ten-minute update. Unless there is a built-in inefficiency, parallelizing the update process doesn't strike me as a great way to improve Android update performance - which, by the way, should
Re:The truth is even less complimentary than that. (Score:4)
I don't know... I just tap "Update all" and go to bed. It can take the entire night, or the whole week for all I care.
The only thing I demand is that none of the apps get updated behind my back without prompting. But once I agree, I forget about it until next time.
DUMB nothing for consumers nor ISP's nor google (Score:4, Interesting)
this is not aimed at consumers (HTTP2 downloads use UDP and can easily manage more than 3 requests)
this is not for ISP's (there is no throttling nor P2P within the local lan)
this is not for googles infa (no gains for download speed and connection tracking)
this seems like just google product management playing with themselves and awarding bonus based on matching iOS which was a legacy of not understanding the users load/capability at the time and is so hard to change now they gave up...
correct me please
Re: (Score:2)
correct me please
Okay...
Assume the position!
Re: (Score:3)
this is not aimed at consumers (HTTP2 downloads use UDP and can easily manage more than 3 requests)
The underlying technology is irrelevant. They could use multiple TCP connections to do simultaneous downloads as well. The only thing consumers care about is whether their updates get done quickly.
this is not for ISP's (there is no throttling nor P2P within the local lan)
Throttling is the ISP's job.
this is not for googles infa (no gains for download speed and connection tracking)
"infa"? Is that what the kids are calling something these days?
Why do you think simultaneous downloads won't improve download speed? Especially if one package can be installing while others are downloading. Three is the useful limit there. Most Android devices have pretty slow storage s
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matching iOS which was a legacy of not understanding the users load/capability at the time
"You're updating it wrong".
Sorry, had to be said...
Not a great header description (Score:5, Interesting)
>"Google Play Store Can Finally Update Multiple Apps At Once"
This heading is technically incorrect. "Updating" an app is several things (finding updates, downloading, applying, cleaning up), not just downloading. Based on my observations (which might be wrong) Android can and has updated multiple apps at once for many years. It just could download only one at a time. But with a fast connection, it will update/apply one or more apps while downloading one at a time.
This change is correctly described by the article, that it can now also download more than one.
I will point out that for many apps, the downloads don't take long, it is the applying of the updates that takes the most time, so it isn't all that helpful. But there are also apps that do apply quickly, and it will help. Overall, it is a good change.
Re: (Score:2)
So is the article, they're not downloading an "update", they're downloading a file, or an applet (the purpose of the file). Google isn't "updating" the current file, AKA patching: It's downloading a replacement applet. The article has turned "updates" and "updating" into weasel-words. I like grammar to be flexible, but this deserves the wrath of a grammar-nazi.
Pending (Score:2)
Re: Pending (Score:2)
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>"What I want to know is why it always says 'pending' for minutes before actually downloading anything."
All the apps that are updating and marked as "pending" are in queue for download. Ones actually downloading are marked as "downloading". Those marked as "installing..." have finished downloading and are being installed/updated.
I did verify today that it is downloading 3 at a time now.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
>"I knew that, but why does 'pending' take so long?
On my devices, they are only "pending" while others are downloading and then immediately turn into "downloading." There is no delay. I do all updates manually, after looking through them all, so there is always lots for it to do.
Re: (Score:2)
They didn't bring it to the Google graveyard (Score:2)
So we should be thankful anyway.
Apps on apps on apps (Score:2)
With the number of apps required to function ever-inflating (every fast food joint expects you to have theirs, your employer requires 4 or 5, etc) I guess this might be a necessary change. But it highlights the crapware culture that is so depressing.
Also this does nothing to fix the fact that on any given Android device, the OS is likely to be months out of date.
Re: (Score:3)
They can expect what they want, but if I have to download and install an app on my phone just to place an order, I'm out.
If my employer expects me to install apps on my phone, they can buy me a corporate phone.
I don't find this change necessary but it does seem nice. App updates aren't something that consume most of your time, so this is nice but not critical.
The article is not particularly helpful (Score:2)
Yes, I've noticed this behaviour over the last day or two, but I was wondering what constraints there were. "A maximum of three apps" is useful information, but what about apps which depend on each other?
All this article tells me (apart from the 3 limit) is what anyone who has applied updates over the last couple of days will have noticed anyway. Oh, and I have not seen any Google Playstore updates in this timeframe, although there was one for the app "Google" immediately preceding the change so I'm assum
Put it back in the oven, it's not done yet... (Score:1)
Wasn't this the default behavior on Gingerbread? (Score:2)