The tech giant recently announced that Chrome OS users would soon have free and limitless access to Android apps on Google Play Store. According to the Wearable Tech Digest, Chromebooks running Chrome OS’s version 5.1 are currently displaying a dialog box on the menu. This dialog box reads “Enable Android applications to run on your Chromebook.”
The exact Chrome OS version in which the feature appears is only available on the Developer Channel. Those who have enabled it so far only have glowing reviews about it. In addition to this, they say that it shows a user guide before it automatically closes. Seemingly, the feature is still being fine-tuned before its official launch, which is likely to coincide with Google’s I/O Conference, which will be held next month.
Google initially started developing Android apps for Chrome OS in 2014. The pioneer apps included Vice, Duolingo, and Evernote. These applications were part of a limited experiment, which was expanded in April 2015. This was during the inauguration of the App Runtime for Chrome Welder app (ARC). There is an ARC option on the Chrome source code. This indicates that the module can be expanded to support all the apps on Google Play Store, on Chrome OS.
In spite of the initial affirmation that the two operating systems would be kept distinct, this change has been acclaimed by Chrome OS users since they stand a great chance of having limitless access to a bigger and more updated app store than the one they have traditionally been accustomed to. Android’s Google Play Store has millions of apps and software. Besides this, it accepts payment in most countries. It similarly has a better user interface and support network than the Chrome OS.
Chrome’s biggest impediment over the years has been the relative deficiency of apps. Many developers have been opting for other operating systems for reasons best known to them. This barrier will be apparently overcome once the two operating systems are merged. Furthermore, developers will have the ability to come up with Android apps with Chrome OS users in mind. This in itself is a new-era paradigm shift in the field of technology. What’s more, it is users who stand to benefit most from this technological revolution.
Google announced that the first Chrome OS devices that will have access to the Google Play Store would be the ASUS Chromebook Flip, Acer Chromebook R11, and the 2015 Chromebook Pixel. These three gadgets run on Chrome OS 53, which is an advanced Chrome version that was made available through the developer channel. Users will similarly need alpha software for them to benefit maximally from this new development.
As a point of clarification, Chrome OS users should take note of the fact that the apps will only work if they do not need hardware-dependent features such as telephony, GPS, and even the rear camera. There are also some issues that will be addressed over the coming months. This includes the inability to resize the Chrome OS apps once they are minimized. Google acknowledges this flaws. They are being eliminated before the official launch of the integrated platform.
The other flaw that Google has detected in the system is the failure of the apps to serve users with notifications whenever they run side by side unless they are minimized in the background. These flaws will be eliminated from the system before it is officially launched. After all, the role of the limited edition was to uncover any flaws before the integrated platform is introduced to the entire tech market. Minor Readjustments are expected to ensure the smooth functioning of the apps. On the other hand, flaws such as the lack of app resizing have been earmarked for fixing on Android N. Other minor fixes will come along the way as the system matures from its tentative stage.
Chromebook Android apps will open more doors for you as a tech lover. For once, you will have the ability to run more apps concurrently. Besides this, it will be possible to use and manage your Office files more efficiently and faster. It will similarly be possible to do more, even when you are offline. A limitless access to games and apps will enhance your user experience.
Developers, on the other hand, will have the freedom to come up with games, applications and other software that can run on both operating systems without compromising security or speed. Android developers, in particular, stand to benefit most since the integration means that their apps will be available on laptops. Google itself has intimated that it would release specially designed devices for exclusive Google Play Store access.
This is the next big thing in technology. Google’s announcement is seen as a strategic move to maintain its dominance in the industry. It, however, signals that great things are yet to come as far as technology is concerned.
David Gomes by profession a Freelance Writer. He loves to write on a variety of topics such as health, fitness, and workout for blogs and online publication sites. He is passionate about helping others and toward his work. In his spare time, when he's not writing, David enjoys watching action movies, listening to music, reading anything that comes into his hands and planning his dream vacation.
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