Chrome, as well as Firefox but to a greater extent, is no longer just a browser to surf the internet, but also a platform, a real operating system similar to Windows from which to launch applications as if they were desktop PC programs. The evolution of Chrome has allowed Google to sell the very successful Chromebook laptops in the USA, less known in these parts.
Speaking of the web browser, we can speak of Chrome as a multi-function program able, thanks to its applications, to replace very effectively some programs that previously were required to download and install by force.
Below then we see 5 types of Chrome apps to replace PC programs .
1) Open text documents, PDFs and eBooks
Chrome can function effectively as a text document viewer and for PDF files.
Just right click on the PDF file that is in a folder and choose Open With .
From here you can select Chrome right away or, if it does not appear, click on Default program first, then on search for another program.
If you need to find Chrome in the Windows folders, the path should be C: \ Program Files \ Google \ Chrome \ Application \ chrome.exe .
The Chrome PDF reader has all the basic functions of any program to open PDF, but if you want something better and with more functions you can always try the app like Notable PDF, which works as an annotation and collaboration tool in real time.
Readium is instead an app that makes Chrome capable of opening ePub files of eBooks, which also works without internet connection.
For eBooks you can instead install Kindle Cloud Reader or Google Play Books.
2) Write notes and lists
Chrome works great as a writing tool, as a notepad or program for making lists and lists.
You can then install applications such as Quick Note, a simple editor or as Caret, more oriented towards program developers or as a Writer with a black background and green Matrix-style text.
For lists or lists of things to remember, Evernote Chrome is excellent, which also works offline and Google Keep.
3) Image editor
It is not necessary to install an image editing program on your computer if you use Chrome with an application like Pixlr Editor, powerful and absolutely full of advanced Photo Editing functions without Photoshop.
For basic photo editing such as resizing or cropping you can use an app that really looks like a PC program, Pixlr Express.
The PicMonkey app is also excellent, to make photos more fun with a few clicks.
To replace a program like Irfanview also to take screenshots you can instead install Nimbus
READ ALSO: Photo editing web applications to make changes to photos
4) Chat Video App
On Chrome you can use Skype Web to make calls and chat.
Alternatively you can also use Google Hangouts, which also allows you to make video calls and integrates into Chrome perfectly and surely Whatsapp web.
5) Office
If there is one thing for which the PC is still indispensable are the Office, Word, Excel and Powerpoint programs.
This is true, however, only if you are obliged, for work, to use these specific programs.
If, on the other hand, there is no work or professional constraint, you can use the Google documents applications from Chrome by installing the Google Sheets, Documents and Presentations applications.
Better yet, you can use the online versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint, for those who prefer Microsoft programs.
READ ALSO: Best Chrome apps that also work offline
