Now that the
Chrome Web Store has launched, we should have a better understanding of what these Apps are all about, right? Well, not so much. These aren't your typical apps, after all -- so it's still a little confusing. Let's take a look at what you're actually installing.
Bookmarks
Some Chrome Web Apps are simply links to existing apps like Aviary, Google Docs, Mibbit, and Picasa. There may be subtle, Chrome-only enhancements, of course -- such as notification support. For the most part, however, these apps will just give you a big, pretty icon that allows you to access apps you could already bookmark.
The New York Times app is a bookmark as well. You can view the 'app' by visiting
http://www.nytimes.com/chrome/ even if you haven't installed it from the Web Store and you'll still be able to use the touchpad nav controls and other enhancements.
Re-tooled Extensions
exfm's Dan Kantor told me that the process to convert their App was incredibly simple and only required modifying a few lines of code. Again, these maybe slightly different than their extension counterparts because Chrome Apps have access to different APIs and permissions. For the most part, however, they'll look and function just like their extension cousins.
Weatherbug is a nice example of the potential differences -- as you can see below!
Extension
App
Full-on Apps!
There are, of course, full-blown Chrome Apps in the Web Store. If you're looking for something to install which is a bit more like the programs you typically install on your computer, try
TweetDeck,
aToDo, or
Quick Notes. They're standalone Chrome Apps, and Quick Notes will even function while you're offline.
If you've found another App which falls into this category, share it with us in the comments! We're looking for more offline-capable apps to play with, too.
Tags: apps, chrome, chrome web store, ChromeWebStore, google, google chrome, GoogleChrome, web
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Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsCougar AbogadoDec 8th 2010 9:35AM
Thanks for the distinctions, Lee. I've felt pretty frustrated about the glorified bookmark functionality and am frothing at the mouth to get some official word on whether we'll ever see the app tab functionality that was out in the wild, back in July: http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2010/07/install-google-web-apps-in-google.html
At a minimum, those app tabs had bigger/(IMO cooler) favicons, omnibox removed, and increased permissions.
"Once installed, a web app gets a big icon in Google Chrome's app launcher area, as well as some integration with the host OS. When running, an installed web app has a special frame and other UI enhancements to make the web app easier to distinguish from other web content. This special treatment makes running apps easier to find and prevents accidentally opening multiple copies of them."
This quote used to reside here: http://code.google.com/chrome/apps/docs/index.html
Anyone have a quasi-official answer? (Other than the old text being absent in the current code link.)
JoeDec 8th 2010 1:55PM
@Cougar Abogado I read yesterday (though it's apparently old news) that they reverted to the current tab functionality with web apps because they didn't have a way of closing app tabs that wasn't confusing to the average user. This was on the official Chromium Apps Google Group, and the poster said that they would add that back in once they had time to implement their solutions.
Eric J.Dec 8th 2010 11:16AM
Are there any Chrome web apps that mimic Sage for FireFox? It's really the one thing that's keeping me from switching.
William AlemanDec 8th 2010 11:27AM
@Eric J. Use Google Reader, there's an app for that.
ChristyDec 8th 2010 2:39PM
Daily Insight Group, a network that owns a variety of horoscope, astrology and tarot properties, released two apps for the Chrome Web Store yesterday. The Yes or No Tarot app is unique because it offers a rich, game-like experience for tarot readings. This app can be used offline. Check it out here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/eoccpjgpaflmnahjolplnoalikgminka
They also released a free horoscope app https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/kjcmmiilfdkoehhfpcgkmnnnhkpkjnjn. Really interesting new way to read horoscopes!
Rocket-in-bottleDec 8th 2010 10:52PM
Non-bookmarkish app? We have a gorgeous news reader made especially for Chrome too. Please check out NewsSquares http://goo.gl/fMIUS if you feel like trying something new in HTML5 and give us some comments!
MaggieDec 9th 2010 2:11AM
Hi Lee,
Thanks a lot for the mention of Diigo's “Quick Note” Chrome app.
Diigo also releases another Chrome app: “Read Later Fast”, which allows you to save webpages to read later, whether online or offline, and fast!
Read Later Fast is an innovative app that addresses the following pains and needs:
* Have too many tabs open?
* Do not want to clutter your bookmark folders with temporary links?
* Want to be able to read offline or make sure you have an archived version?
* Want to read webpages fast, like a slideshow, and as clean-text
As you may know, two other Chrome extensions by Diigo, “Awesome Screenshot” (thanks for DownloadSquad earlier coverage) and “Diigo Bookmark, Archive, Highlight & Sticky-Note” are among the highest rated Chrome extensions, as users rave about how useful they are. Make sure to check them out as well.