As already written on several occasions, Chrome is not a browser for surfing the internet, but almost an operating system in itself that can live its own life thanks to web applications. With a further leap Google has pushed this feature by providing a new type of applications that work like normal desktop PC programs, even without an internet connection.
In practice Chrome becomes a complete platform of programs, independent of the browser, which can be installed on the PC and launched from the desktop or from the Windows Start screen .
The new Desktop applications have been grouped into a new category of the Chrome Web Store where there are the Desktop Collections separated from the applications for Google Drive and the Chrome offline apps that also work without internet connection (but within Chrome).
To use these applications you will not need to open any web page, any Chrome tab or other windows.
Each downloaded and installed application will be present in the Windows start menu or in the Windows 8 Start screen and will also be grouped in that Chrome application launcher on the Windows bar that was introduced some time ago and that today is automatically put by installing the first application.
The desktop programs installed by the Chrome Web Store are full-fledged programs that are tied to " cloud " web applications.
Chrome synchronizes applications installed on any computer that is signed in with the Google Account.
The data can then be uploaded from the Cloud and saved online so that it is always available to any PC you use.
Applications can send notifications on the desktop, update automatically, can interact with USB sticks or the bluetooth of the computer or other connected devices.
Installing the first application for the desktop will then appear, as mentioned above, a new start button on the taskbar that works a bit like the old Start menu of Windows XP and Windows 7, removed from Windows 8.
These applications open in separate windows, as if they were normal PC programs.
Among the best, so far, Google desktop applications (all free) we have:
- Pixlr Touch Up, to edit and add effects to photos (also works offline without internet connection).
- Until.AM program to make DJs and mix music using two spinning discs.
- Wunderlist, an app to organize to-dos and reminders that sends notifications to the desktop.
- Google Keep
- Cracking Sands, a nice free action-packed 3D racing game (weighing 533 MB).
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