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How to play with Google Chrome Web Apps right now
Over at TechCrunch, MG Siegler has posted images of some Chrome Web apps installed and working in Chromium -- but it's worth knowing that you can already play with a handful of apps in Google Chrome as well. If you're running the Chrome dev channel, here's how you do it.
First, add some command line switches to your Chrome shortcut:
--enable-apps : turns on extension apps, otherwise you'll get an error when you try to install them.
--apps-panel : (optional) instead of loading the new tab page, Chrome will display a floating panel above the current tab
If you need help adding command line switches to Google Chrome, check our how-to post!
Now, on to the good stuff: installing the trio of Google apps!
First, add some command line switches to your Chrome shortcut:
--enable-apps : turns on extension apps, otherwise you'll get an error when you try to install them.
--apps-panel : (optional) instead of loading the new tab page, Chrome will display a floating panel above the current tab
If you need help adding command line switches to Google Chrome, check our how-to post!
Now, on to the good stuff: installing the trio of Google apps!
Remember that path... you're going to need to browse to it three times (assuming you want to install all three apps).
Now click load unpacked extension... and drill down to the folder you located above.
Click into the folder of the app you want to install (like gmail_app), then click OK. If the install is successful, Chrome will refresh your Extensions page and you should now see the icon for the app.
** Alternatively, you can paste the full path into the Folder: text box if you wish -- just browse to the app in your file manager and copy the full path once you're inside an_app folder (e.g. C:\Users\Lee\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\6.0.453.1\Resources\gmail_app) .
Now, let's load an app! Just click the new tab button (or press ctrl + t) and click one.
As for the actual differences, you'll have to help me out -- point out what you notice in the comments! So far, the Google apps seem to work the same as a pinned tab -- just with nicer icons.
Spenser's Instructions for Mac users (you should be able to simply substitute Chrome for Chromium if you're running the dev channel):
- Open your /Applications folder, and right click on Chromium.app, then choose "Show Package Contents"
- Navigate to Contents/MacOS, and rename Chromium to Chromium-Exec
- Create a file called Chromium, with the contents (its two lines): #!/bin/sh exec /Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium-Exec --enable-apps --apps-panel $@
- Open terminal and run chmod +x /Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium
- Restart Chromium
- Navigate to Chromium.app/Contents/Versions/{Your Version}/Chromium Framework.framework/Resources in finder
- Open the extension manager, click "Developer Mode", and click "Load Unpacked Extension"
- Drag the folder of the app you want (eg. gmail_app) from finder into the open dialog of Chromium, click Open
- Repeat until you've added all the apps you want
Comments
41
Subscribe to commentsBenJul 3rd 2010 1:38PM
It seems to just remove the navigation bar. Also, when closing an app tab (via middle mouse click), it immediately closes while closing a pinned tab takes two clicks.
Personally, I still prefer pinned tabs as they (as of this moment) have support for favicon changes letting me know that I have new mail.
FejorcaJul 3rd 2010 1:49PM
Excelent post! just have a question, where can I download more apps? thank you.
omart.t2+ds@gmail.comOct 27th 2010 10:08AM
I created a google reader app by just altering the manifest file and adding some icons. I'm excited to see more apps!
http://www.mediafire.com/?tfnljx05yym
pat_boy2008Jul 3rd 2010 2:46PM
lol I edited the manifest file too and made a Yahoo Mail app. The icon sucks though. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5735337/ymail_app.zip
pat_boy2008Jul 3rd 2010 3:19PM
Improved version with better icon and a crx file.
Yahoo Mail App: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5735337/ymail_app.crx
MmmbaconJul 3rd 2010 10:13PM
Thanks for the reader app. I may be a complete noob, but what are the advantages of the App vs the webpage? Thanks!
SamvjonesOct 7th 2010 11:21PM
Have been looking at this, and have edited to work for Google Apps for my domain so very pleased to say they are working and fine so am very pleased!! Cant wait for this to be expanded.
The way it handles new tab function is to me a much better option.
golaniyJul 3rd 2010 2:58PM
made reader, youtube, hulu, & facebook.
icons from theiconfactory and iconfinder.com
working on delicious.
golaniyJul 3rd 2010 2:59PM
whoops. forgot the link. http://www.mediafire.com/?hyymnuq0rkq
GenitJul 3rd 2010 3:35PM
Informative article thanks & thanks for those extra web apps guys rocking them right now! :D
Spenser JonesJul 3rd 2010 3:33PM
It is not very functional on a Mac, as all it does is display as a pinned tab, however the instructions for setting it up (since it will improve down the road) are as follows:
- Open your /Applications folder, and right click on Chromium.app, then choose "Show Package Contents"
- Navigate to Contents/MacOS, and rename Chromium to Chromium-Exec
- Create a file called Chromium, with the contents (its two lines):
#!/bin/sh
exec /Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium-Exec --enable-apps --apps-panel $@
- Open terminal and run chmod +x /Applications/Chromium.app/Contents/MacOS/Chromium
- Restart Chromium
- Navigate to Chromium.app/Contents/Versions/{Your Version}/Chromium Framework.framework/Resources in finder
- Open the extension manager, click "Developer Mode", and click "Load Unpacked Extension"
- Drag the folder of the app you want (eg. gmail_app) from finder into the open dialog of Chromium, click Open. Repeat until you've added all the apps you want
IvanJul 6th 2010 7:24PM
Thank you for your explanation.
I am new to Unix.
I have the "Google Chrome" app, instead of Chromium, as far as I understand there are changes in the way to enable the apps and the panel?
Could you please give an advise?
RvdPJul 3rd 2010 6:09PM
Awesome post!
Too bad you can't pin the webapp's yet without re-enabling the toolbars.
gJul 3rd 2010 8:01PM
For all those who use linux, you won't get the cool looking app tabs. They look just like pinned tabs. Blah, no benefit at this point, it was fun to turn it on for a second tho ^_^
TeufelJul 3rd 2010 8:35PM
The correct path is %localappdata%\Google\Chrome\Application\6.0.453.1\Resources.
golaniyJul 4th 2010 12:09AM
that IS the right path, if your using chromium.
owenoliver1Jul 4th 2010 3:24AM
angered me to start with couldnt see my most recent i was like wtf ruin the whole thing then saw a little button click and yay its just amazing :)
and cheers guys so cool
EatmoldJul 4th 2010 4:11AM
Here's a DowloadSquad webapp :-)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6876950/downloadsquad_app.zip
QikonJul 4th 2010 6:14AM
And here is the MyFav.es webapp!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4424398/myfaves_app.crx
QikonJul 4th 2010 7:01AM
Now, the Grooveshark webapp!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4424398/grooveshark_app.crx