Although most mobile apps follow a familiar layout, a new way of interacting with digital services is quickly gaining popularity: AI assistants. They allow users to describe what they need in plain language and let the assistant retrieve information or help complete a task. Traditionally, users would need to open different applications and navigate through their features to get things done.
One of the latest developments in this area is Google's Connected Apps Platform. It allows developers to connect their apps and services with Google Search and Gemini. Announced on October 28, 2026, the platform is currently in preview, with access rolling out in phases.
This development gives app developers and businesses an opportunity to think about how users might interact with application features through AI assistants instead of always opening the app to perform a task.
Google's Connected Console allows developers to create integrations, test them, and submit them for review. Developers can choose whether their connected app appears in Search, Gemini, or both. Once published, they can also monitor usage and performance.
However, the availability of integrations with Google's AI services does not mean developers can automatically add AI capabilities to their existing apps. They still need to identify which features to connect, build the required integrations, and follow Google's review process.
To learn more, see Google's official Connected Apps Platform update.
How Can Developers Connect Their Applications?
Google describes two main approaches for building these integrations. One involves using a cloud-hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, while the other uses Android AppFunctions.
***Cloud-Hosted MCP Server*
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard for connecting AI applications with external data and services. An MCP server allows developers to expose selected application functions to compatible AI assistants and enables interaction between the application and the assistant.
Developers can decide which functions to expose and what information can be accessed. This is important because an AI assistant should only have the permissions required to perform a particular task.
Android MCP and App Functions
For integrating Android applications with AI agents, Google provides AppFunctions APIs.
These APIs allow developers to expose selected features of their applications to compatible AI assistants. For example, an application could make certain functions available through an assistant without requiring users to navigate through every screen.
The implementation approach depends on the application and its requirements. Developers building services for multiple platforms can use a remote MCP server to expose application capabilities across different environments. Android developers can also explore AppFunctions for deeper integration with supported Android experiences and on-device interactions.
What Impact Could This Have on Mobile App Experiences?
Mobile applications are not going away, and users will continue to interact with them. However, opening an application may no longer be the starting point for every task.
Let's consider an e-commerce application. Traditionally, a user opens the app to browse or search for products, apply filters, compare options, and proceed to checkout.
With a connected experience, users could ask an AI assistant to help them find products based on specific requirements. If the e-commerce application exposes the required functions, the assistant could retrieve relevant product information or help complete supported actions with the user's authorization.
This concept could also apply to other industries:
- Travel applications: Users could search for travel options or retrieve an existing booking itinerary with assistance from an AI assistant.
- Healthcare applications: A connected experience could help users retrieve supported appointment information or access available healthcare services.
- Fitness applications: Users could get activity insights, summaries, or progress updates through a connected experience.
- Productivity applications: Users could retrieve information or perform supported tasks without having to switch between multiple applications.
These examples illustrate some potential uses of Google's connected app approach. They are not intended to be a complete list or suggest that every feature is already available through the platform. The actual functionality depends on the integration, available permissions, and the features approved for each Google product.
What Should Businesses and Developers Consider?
Connecting an application to Google's AI platform involves more than simply implementing an API. There are several important areas businesses should consider before planning an integration.
1. Decide Which Features to Connect
Start by identifying the features users interact with most frequently. Examples include searching for products, making reservations, tracking shipments, or checking account information. Not every feature of an application needs to be connected through an AI assistant.
2. Prioritize Permissions and Data Privacy
Connected applications may handle personal or account-related information. Developers need to implement secure authentication and authorization while ensuring that AI assistants receive only the permissions required to perform supported tasks.
3. Maintain Application Security
All features connected to Google's AI services must follow the application's existing security standards. Developers should consider input validation, access controls, API security, and proper monitoring to protect application data and user information.
4. Build High-Quality APIs
Features connected to AI assistants rely on application backends to function properly. Developers need to build reliable APIs that support fast responses, efficient communication, and proper error handling. Scalability should also be considered as the number of connected interactions increases.
5. Continue Improving the Native App Experience
The introduction of AI should improve the existing app experience rather than replace its interface. Users will still need well-designed screens for workflows involving detailed information, settings, and interactions with visual or audio content.
Is This the Future of Mobile App Development?
Google's Connected Apps Platform may signal a broader trend in application development. Traditionally, the services and functions of an app have been accessed mainly through its mobile interface. Google's approach shows how these functions could extend to other platforms and experiences, including AI assistants.
This also changes some of the requirements involved in application development. Along with designing a good user interface, teams need to think about secure API definitions, integrations, authentication, and the backend functions that allow different services to communicate.
That said, the Connected Apps Platform is currently in developer preview. Google has indicated that access will expand in phases, eventually reaching more developers, markets, and Google products. Developers should check current eligibility and regional availability before planning an integration.
Rather than rushing to add AI features, businesses should first identify where AI-assisted interactions can genuinely make their products more useful.
Conclusion
Google's Connected Apps Platform shows how AI assistants could change the way users discover and interact with digital services. It gives businesses an opportunity to make selected application features accessible beyond the traditional app interface.
Taking advantage of this development requires thoughtful product planning, secure integrations, scalable APIs, and a reliable user experience. Businesses looking to build or modernize applications for this changing environment can consider working with a top mobile app development company in the USA to plan the right architecture and turn emerging AI capabilities into practical product features.
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