Google's Chrome team developing app launcher for Mac

Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
Google is looking to bring a version of its Chrome OS app launcher to the Mac, possibly as an add-on to the Chrome browser, allowing users to access a slew of Web apps normally available only from within the

App Launcher
Google's Chrome app launcher for Mac in beta form. | Source: Fran?ois Beaufort


Chrome developer Fran?ois Beaufort revealed on his Google+ page (via iMore) that the Internet search giant is working to bring the app launcher to Mac.

Because the Chrome OS platform runs Web apps instead of traditional programs, the app launcher is a vital part of the experience. Instead of having to enter Chrome to execute app functions, the launcher breaks out the Web-based titles into a separate window.

Those interested in trying out the beta version of Chrome's app launcher for Mac can download the latest build of Chromium and run a switch command in terminal.

Available apps will show up as a pop-up above the Chromium icon in the OS X dock, while selecting a title will launch the app in a new browser window. Switching apps takes place in-browser, though the launcher does save a couple steps in navigating to a particular app.

It is unclear if or when Google intends to launch the functionality in Chrome for OS X, and Beaufort didn't offer any further information regarding the project beside its existence.

While the implementation is somewhat limited at this time, it shows Google is actively looking for ways to garner a larger presence on Apple's OS X platform.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 59
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member


    Who would be stupid enough to use that?

  • Reply 2 of 59
    rcoleman1rcoleman1 Posts: 153member


    Really. What a joke.

  • Reply 3 of 59
    techstalkertechstalker Posts: 179member
    i love chrome, this will be very useful instead of opening a new tab to get to web apps or chrome package apps.
  • Reply 4 of 59
    ddawson100ddawson100 Posts: 513member
    Who would be stupid enough to use that?

    Why would you be stupid for using it?
  • Reply 5 of 59


    So, you have to have that ugly crap of a chrome launcher on your screen the whole time?  No thanks man. 

  • Reply 6 of 59


    Google is trying to hijack iOS.  They are working hard to spread all over the places.


     


    Hoping to see Apple dominate 2013 and 2014 in a big way with new innovations and software updates with huge data center entering the game in few years and dominating number of companies like netflix, amazon, google and others!

  • Reply 7 of 59
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    So, you have to have that ugly crap of a chrome launcher on your screen the whole time?  No thanks man. 

    It pops up. Don't you see the Chromium icon on the bottom?
  • Reply 8 of 59
    cyniccynic Posts: 124member


    Does anybody still care for "web apps" on the desktop or on any OS supporting native apps for that matter?


    Thought that bubble burst quite some time ago...

  • Reply 9 of 59
    dasanman69dasanman69 Posts: 13,002member
    cynic wrote: »
    Does anybody still care for "web apps" on the desktop or on any OS supporting native apps for that matter?
    Thought that bubble burst quite some time ago...

    It wasn't a 'web app' bubble that burst.
  • Reply 10 of 59
    just_mejust_me Posts: 590member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cynic View Post


    Does anybody still care for "web apps" on the desktop or on any OS supporting native apps for that matter?


    Thought that bubble burst quite some time ago...



    web gl


     


    http://www.thehobbit.com/middle-earth/

  • Reply 11 of 59
    pedromartinspedromartins Posts: 1,333member


    Why aren't chrome and/or chromium on the Mac app store? And Skype?VLC? all free apps... I don't get it.


    I would also love a torrent software like transmission there, and dropbox.


     


    I refuse to install apps that are not there anymore. it's so convenient... especially when they are 10.8 ready.


     


    Outside of the MAS, only transmission and dropbox.

  • Reply 12 of 59
    filburtfilburt Posts: 398member


    Sigh. Google is still trying to pass web apps as apps? Google, we all know that web apps are websites.

  • Reply 13 of 59
    genovellegenovelle Posts: 1,480member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dasanman69 View Post





    It wasn't a 'web app' bubble that burst.


    Actually it was.  Apple has had web apps for years and even used them as the only apps on the first iPhone. The loud Apple haters called it weak.  Now those same people are praising Google for going back in time by 5 years and doing the same thing.  

  • Reply 14 of 59
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,757member


    Looks ugly as all fck. Like the rest of the Google/Android ecosystem. 


     


    Google recognizes the value of the Apple pie, and they'd like a poorly-designed finger in every part of it. 


     


    Keep trying, though, Google. Apple users *stay* Apple users. 

  • Reply 15 of 59
    jungmarkjungmark Posts: 6,926member
    Don't worry, it's just another way for google to track you. They probably have a key logger in that thing.
  • Reply 16 of 59
    applewinsapplewins Posts: 10member


    Looks useful.


    Going to install it once they release for mac.

  • Reply 17 of 59
    juiljuil Posts: 75member


    That launcher is very... hummmm, what’s the word for it... flat! :¬)

  • Reply 18 of 59
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member


    Originally Posted by AppleWins View Post

    Looks useful.


    Going to install it once they release for mac.



     


    I'M CONVINCED¡ image

  • Reply 19 of 59
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,718member
    applewins wrote: »
    Looks useful.
    Going to install it once they release for mac.

    Do you get a salary or a few cents per post?
  • Reply 20 of 59
    mikeb85mikeb85 Posts: 506member

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by filburt View Post


    Sigh. Google is still trying to pass web apps as apps? Google, we all know that web apps are websites.



     


    Guess you haven't used any apps that make use of Google's NaCl API...  Try getting and running 'From Dust' in your Chrome browser.  


     


    Chrome can run native binary code....

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