Flipkart has launched an app-like mobile web browser called Flipkart Lite. Features like push notifications and home screen access are a few of the app-like features, which are available on it, according to a report by NDTV .
Flipkart Lite went live on Monday, November 10. It works exclusively on Google Chrome. It has performed a U-turn on its plans to go app only.
Flipkart Lite has a fluid dynamic technical structure that can help in product listings and also has a notification box that opens up about recent exclusive offers on the app with a link to it. However, features like pinging and internal messaging are not available on it.
The e-commerce giant partnered with Google to build the mobile website. Former Google executive, Peeyush Ranjan was hired by Flipkart to be the Head of Engineering and CTO of the company. Hence, the newly supported notification features will appear in the home screen of Google Chrome. Flipkart also has access to three new tools from the Chrome team including Service Workers which will help in development even during poor internet connections.
“Although other sites have used some of these features in isolation, FlipKart is the first mass-market experience to be built from the ground up to take advantage of them and show a complete end-to-end experience. For developers who care about these properties but were not convinced that they could build something great, we hope Flipkart will show that this can be a reality,” Rahul Roy-Chowdhury, product manager for Chrome, wrote in an email, as reported by re/code .
Flipkart’s fashion brand Myntra, has not gone live with the Chrome but it may be the next in line. It recently became an app only service.
This new launch has triggered a new app vs web debate. Reportedly Flipkart has been engaged in this debate for a long time now. In a recent interview, Chief Product Officer Punit Soni clarified that Flipkart will not be going app-only.
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