A new generation of Chrome apps work as desktop apps with offline mode and local storage.
Five years ago, Google Chrome began as one of the new web browsers. Since then, Google has been adding more and more to the browser to keep up with the changing nature of technology – primarily, apps. In an announcement on the blog for Google Chrome, the company stated it was unveiling the new Chrome App system for Windows, with Mac and Linux versions coming soon.
Desktop Chrome Apps are accessed from an app launcher in the Windows taskbar to “get into the app without being distracted by the rest of the web.” The apps also sync to devices to pick up where you left off when opening the app the next time. Apps have security features that auto-update so users don’t need to remember to update on their own.
Most exciting, however, is the ability for game developers to create browser games that work even when not connected to the internet, and save files are stored locally. No more screaming at your internet provider when the internet and your game suddenly crash.
To celebrate the release of the new Chrome App, Google published a collection of “For Your Desktop” apps on Chrome’s web store, including games like Spelunky, Cracking Sands Racing, and Tank Riders. Spelunky, an HTML5 game is a cave exploration game inspired by classic platformers. Cracking Sands Racing is – no surprise – a racing game, but with guns. Tank Riders is a tank battle system with multiplayer options coming soon. All three are available for free on the Chrome web store.
Source: Google Chrome blog via Develop
