Chrome Apps on Desktop: A Review
The Future of Applications: Google's Chrome Apps
Are your preferred applications built for Windows, macOS, or Linux? Google envisions a shift, aiming for Chrome apps to ultimately supersede these traditional programs.
Currently, Google Chrome functions as a comprehensive application platform. This includes a dedicated Chrome app launcher, available for both Windows and macOS users.
Key Characteristics of Chrome Apps
Chrome apps are designed to operate within their own dedicated windows. Installation is performed locally on the user’s machine.
A significant benefit is their ability to function even without an internet connection, offering offline access.
All Chrome apps are sourced from the official Chrome Web Store, ensuring a centralized and curated distribution method.
Ideal Use Cases and Expanding Reach
These apps are particularly well-suited for Chromebooks, where they provide an experience closely mirroring that of native applications.
However, their utility isn't limited to Chromebooks; Chrome apps have expanded their presence to encompass other operating systems as well.
The intention is to provide a consistent application experience across a wider range of devices and platforms.
Installing Chrome Applications
Related: The Evolution of Chrome OS and its Availability Beyond Chromebooks.
Previously, we detailed Google’s strategy to extend Chrome OS functionality to existing computers. The core idea involves utilizing Chrome applications, developed using web-based technologies, to facilitate a seamless transition to a Chromebook environment.
When deployed on conventional operating systems, these Chrome applications operate concurrently with your currently installed desktop software.
How to Install Chrome Apps
To begin installing Chrome apps – previously referred to as Chrome packaged apps – navigate to the "For Your Desktop" category within the Chrome Web Store. This section showcases all presently available packaged applications.
Installation is straightforward; proceed as you would with any application download from a standard app store. The apps will be downloaded through Chrome and integrated with your existing Chrome application collection.
- Locate the "For Your Desktop" section.
- Browse the available packaged apps.
- Install the desired applications.
The downloaded applications will then be accessible alongside your other installed Chrome apps.
Accessing Chrome Apps with the Chrome App Launcher
Google offers a Chrome App Launcher designed to provide streamlined access to your installed Chrome applications. The launcher can be downloaded from the official Chrome App Launcher webpage and will then be visible on your Windows desktop taskbar or within the Mac OS X dock.
Currently, a dedicated Chrome App Launcher is not yet available for Linux distributions. However, Chrome apps remain fully functional on Linux systems.
Launching and Identifying Apps
After installation, simply clicking the Chrome App Launcher icon will display all of your installed Chrome web apps and enable you to initiate Google searches directly.
A distinction exists between different types of apps. Those displaying a shortcut icon overlaid on their primary icon are essentially enhanced bookmarks leading to websites. Conversely, apps lacking this overlay represent fully-fledged Chrome applications.
- Shortcut Apps: Function as direct links to web pages.
- Full Chrome Apps: Offer a more integrated application-like experience.
This differentiation helps users understand the capabilities of each installed app.
Leveraging Chrome Applications
Chrome applications that have been installed are accessible through several convenient methods. These include the Chrome App Launcher, the Apps area on the Chrome New Tab page, and a dedicated "Chrome Apps" folder within the Start menu.
Furthermore, users can create pinned icons on their taskbar or desktop for quick access to frequently used applications.
Application Functionality
These applications operate within their own dedicated windows, each featuring a unique taskbar icon. Notably, they lack the conventional browser interface elements like address bars and navigation controls.
A key benefit of Chrome apps is their ability to function offline. They also synchronize data with associated online services, ensuring rapid loading times and availability even without an internet connection.
- They provide a streamlined user experience.
- Offline access enhances usability.
- Synchronization ensures data consistency.
The combination of these features makes Chrome apps a versatile tool for a variety of tasks.
Notable Chrome Applications
A dedicated Chrome application is available from Pocket. Functioning similarly to its mobile and macOS counterparts, Pocket’s Chrome extension facilitates the downloading of web articles for offline access. This allows for uninterrupted reading, even without an internet connection.
Notably, this native application enables offline reading of Pocket articles on Windows desktop computers.
Google provides a Chrome app for its Google Keep note-taking service as well. This application operates offline and synchronizes with the online Google Keep platform. Consequently, your notes remain consistently accessible.
Any notes created during periods of offline connectivity will be automatically synchronized once an internet connection is re-established.
Any.DO and Wunderlist represent two popular to-do applications gaining traction on mobile devices. Chrome apps extend their functionality to desktop environments, complete with offline capabilities.
This provides a streamlined method for managing task lists outside of a web browser. These apps are particularly useful for individuals already utilizing their corresponding mobile applications.
It's worth noting that Any.DO lacks a dedicated website for task viewing, making this Chrome app the sole means of accessing Any.DO tasks on a computer.
The games Cut the Rope and Spelunky are now available as Chrome applications. Both function entirely offline within their own dedicated windows.
Cut the Rope is compatible with both touchscreens and mouse input, enabling desktop gameplay without requiring a browser-based version.
Spelunky is presented as an HTML5 version of the original game, previously limited to Windows operating systems. This expansion now allows users of Linux and macOS to enjoy the game as well.
Evaluating the Utility of Chrome Apps
The selection of applications available on Chrome's app platform still requires significant development. A notable omission is the lack of dedicated apps for core Google services, beyond Google Keep. Should Google be truly committed to the success of Chrome apps, the introduction of applications for Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive would be expected.
These apps would facilitate consistent and dependable offline access to email, scheduling, and documents. Currently, achieving this necessitates the installation of the legacy Gmail Offline app, alongside separate offline configuration within Calendar and Drive. This approach would also transform Google services like Gmail into conventional, windowed applications.
Currently, the number of genuinely useful Chrome apps remains limited, directly correlating with the relatively small number of apps currently available. However, Chrome apps demonstrate considerable potential.
For instance, while Pocket provides a desktop application for Mac, it lacks a comparable offering for Windows or the newer Windows 8 interface. The Pocket Chrome app serves as the only officially supported method for accessing saved articles offline on Windows laptops or tablets, otherwise requiring browser-based access with an internet connection.
The Potential of Chrome Apps
The core promise of Chrome apps lies in their ability to enable modern web services, often neglecting the Windows and Linux desktops, to develop contemporary applications utilizing web technologies that function offline. These applications are designed for broad compatibility.
They will operate across a wide range of operating systems, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS. Furthermore, availability is anticipated on Chrome for mobile devices.
Chrome apps are also sandboxed for security and distributed through a dedicated app store. This provides Chrome with a modern application platform for traditional windowed desktop applications, positioning Chrome apps as a potential path forward for the Windows desktop.
Microsoft has established its own new application platform with Windows 8, but running these applications within desktop windows requires third-party solutions like ModernMix. Google's solution natively supports windowed applications.
As it stands, Chrome apps offer a convenient means of utilizing services like Pocket, Google Keep, Any.DO, and Wunderlist offline within their own dedicated windows. Looking ahead, Chrome apps may evolve into a more comprehensive application platform, spanning nearly all operating systems.
Future Outlook
However, this outcome is not guaranteed. Chrome apps could potentially lose momentum and fail, mirroring the limited impact of previous Chrome apps initiatives. The Chrome Web Store currently features a substantial number of applications that are essentially enhanced links to websites.
Ultimately, the future of Chrome apps remains uncertain, and their success will depend on continued development and adoption. We must await further developments to ascertain their long-term viability.