Google is killing Chrome Apps for desktops, for good

Google is formally done with Chrome Apps for desktops: it’s now removed the Apps section from the Chrome Web Store, leaving only Extensions and Themes available for you to customize your browser with from here on out.

The company explained its intention to do away with the apps a year ago, and as we mentioned back in August when it officially announced its plans, only about 1 percent of Windows, Mac OS and Linux users actually used Apps, so they’ve gotten to go. However, Apps will still be available on Chrome OS-powered devices, like Chromebooks, and they’re accessible via direct connections to their Chrome Web Store pages.

If you’re wondering whether you’ll drop out on much, don’t worry: as Ars Technica noted, many Apps were essentially little more than bookmarks for web pages, with the added benefit of being able to access them from diverse parts of Chrome’s interface. Some packaged apps were able to contract advantage of USB-related hardware, but if Google’s figures are correct, it looks like not many people cared for them.

They’ll be replaced by mid-2018 by the introduction of Progressive Web Apps for desktops. You might have already realized some of these on your mobile device: their sites that make a full-screen immersive interface, push notifications, and an icon on your home screen. It’ll be interesting to watch if people care to take up these once they’re widely usable.