Google wants Chrome apps on your Android and iOS devices

[Scorpus]

Google is looking to expand the reach of their Chrome apps beyond desktop operating systems, targeting mobile devices in a new project. As discovered by The Next Web, Google has discovered a method for porting Chrome applications from desktop platforms to Android and iOS, and hopes to release a beta shortly.

Using the open source tool Apache Cordova as a compatibility layer of sorts, plugins can be created for mobile platforms that replace the functionality of the desktop Chrome app APIs, allowing access to the GPU and other mobile hardware. Chrome apps are developed using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, but offer more functionality than standard web apps.

Apparently these Chrome apps will be of high enough quality to publish them through the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, providing an easy alternative to native applications for web-centric developers wanting an app in the mobile market.

The tools for porting Chrome apps to Android and iOS are still in development (the Android version seems closer to completion), but Google expects a beta version will be available in January. Prospective mobile Chrome app developers can check the GitHub repository for the project, where sample apps have already been posted.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/54896-google-wants-chrome-apps-on-your-android-and-ios-devices.html

 

[Chuck Cortes]

I'm confused, how is a Chrome app different from an Android app and I mean different as in what they can do? I have both the Google Keep app and Chrome app on my PC and phone, so why do I need the Chrome app version on my phone?

 

[Guest]

The chrome app resides inside chrome and is not standalone product, just like the desktop version chrome.

 

[Chuck Cortes]

Incorrect, some Chrome apps are stand alone apps. I have several of them on my PC that don't require Chrome running to use them. In essence they are similar to what you get from Pokki. Look for the Chrome Launcher https://chrome.google.com/webstore/launcher.

 

[EClyde]

Google wants too much of me. Too bad they are so hard to avoid. Our fault

 

[Guest]

More stuff from Google to dodge...

You don't run apps on a PC, they are programs. If u need an app, ur a needy person and should just open ur wallet and let everyone help you.