Tech Talk: All roads lead to Chrome

IT hasn’t taken long for us to become familiar with the concept of applications, or apps, for our smartphones, iPods and tablets. But Google has taken the idea a step further with the launch of a range of apps that run on your computer.
By David Behrens
Published 13th Feb 2012, 00:00 BST

At first glance, this is a silly idea because it’s what computers have always done. What are Microsoft Word, Photoshop and iTunes if not applications? But Google’s vision is of a new generation of apps that work inside your internet browser and extend its functionality in ways that web pages alone can’t do.

It makes business sense for them because the only browser in which the apps will work is their own, Chrome, and they want as many of us as possible to use it in preference to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

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But do web apps make sense for the rest of us? Well, the first batch is available now – most of them so far free – and range from the useful (word processors) to the ridiculous (stick-man animators). Some are not much more than lists of links to other websites; others are menus that hang off your toolbar; a few are fully-fledged software programs. None will change the way you use your computer but they’re worth checking out before you invest in expensive, traditional software.

Here are a few of the more likely candidates: Aviary Image Editor does much of what Adobe Photoshop does, but doesn’t cost £500. In fact, it is free.

True, it’s doesn’t compete as a professional editing tool but for touching up family snapshots it’s all you need. Sliderocket is a PowerPoint-style tool for business presentations that lets you view your slides on portable devices as well as PCs. Many users prefer it to PowerPoint, but its more advanced features come with a monthly fee.

Good News collects articles from your favourite websites, twitter feeds or just about anywhere else on the internet, and presents them to you. Springpad and Scratchpad are note-takers that let you jot down ideas, bookmarks, pictures and anything else. Then it syncs them with your online accounts so you can access them on your phone. Not rocket science exactly, but a surprising time-saver.

To get your hands on any of these, go to google.com/chrome, or if you already have Chrome installed, just clink the Chrome Web Store link in your browser.

Related topics:Google