Need A Reason To Switch To Google Chrome OS? Web Browser Is Adding Google Play Store, Downloadable Android Apps To Its Lineup

Google’s Chrome OS just gave users a new reason to switch to a Chromebook. If you haven’t hopped on the Chrome OS bandwagon yet and want to, there are more reasons now than ever to change. Reports say that Google’s Chrome OS is adding Android Apps and the Google Play Store to its web browser.

9To5Google.com reported that users can currently grab some Android Apps on the Chrome Web Store, where apps for the Chrome browser live. It’s not clear just yet whether the Play Store will phase out the old Chrome Web Store or somehow complement it.

It’s pretty clear that Google thinks the future is in mobile apps and cloud-based tech, and this move would definitely help build their new platform. While it’s pretty innovative for a company to mesh their platforms together, there are some creature comforts you might have to go without if you want to switch to Chrome OS.

For instance, Chromebooks throw out the use of Skype for Google’s own Hangouts app, and also do not have CD Drives, as they are designed to favor music streaming services (presumably Google Play Music). An advantage to everything running in the cloud, though, is that processing power is not sacrificed since programs aren’t stored on your computer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgOd0qdR_AU

Ars Technica noted that the Chrome OS updates will first start rolling out to developer versions of Chrome OS beginning in June. Once it’s on your Chromebook, you’ll only need to peruse the store for an app you like and then download it like it was on your phone or Chrome proper. This will add it to your app launcher, making it easily accessible whenever you want.

Popular Google apps such as Google Docs, Vine, and Gmail are already available for Chrome OS now. Google Play Books is also available, as is Kindle Books. No word yet on whether the App Store selections will include apps from the Amazon App Store, which sometimes crosses over into Android territory in terms of app offerings. If you don’t want to wait until June to experience the Android/Chrome collaboration, PCWorld.com discovered a tool called ARC Welder (ARC meaning App Runtime for Chrome) that will let users test out Android apps to see how they’ll work.

As time goes on, the offering of Android apps for Chrome and Chrome OS is expected to increase. Android is also one of the best mobile operating systems for privacy, so having privacy apps available on ChromeBook could be quite a boost to Chrome OS’s privacy settings. Hopefully, Android will also carry its flexibility and nearly endless customization to Chromebook as well.

Google’s post on the official Chrome Blog claims that running Android apps won’t effect your Chromebook’s speed or security. The post also mentioned that Google is working with its manufacturers to produce Chromebooks specifically made for the Play Store, so we might see them in the near future. If you’re interested in buying or already own a Chromebook, you can click on over to Chrome’s support page to see which devices will support the Play Store when it comes out for Chrome OS.

Chrome is already one of the most popular browsers out there, and this new improvement may make it even more appealing. Microsoft, meanwhile, has been trying to make Windows 10 for computers feel more and more like a mobile OS by adding a Cortana plug-in for its browsers and making its PCs more touch-friendly. Let us know what you think of this new addition to the Chrome family. Is it gimmicky, or something more worthwhile?

[Image Via Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo]