Google to phase out Chrome's apps

Google launched Chrome apps approximately 3 years ago. This was done with the purpose of bridging the gap that existed between web and certain, more efficient experiences such as working offline, sending notifications and connecting to hardware.

However, Google believes it’s time to begin the evolution away from the Chrome app platform. They have decided to remove support for packaged and hosted apps from Chrome on Windows, Mac and Linux over the next two years.

What does this mean? While, all types of Chrome apps will remain supported and maintained on Chrome OS; additional enhancements to the Chrome apps platform will apply only to Chrome OS devices.

By the second half of 2017, the Chrome Web Store will no longer show Chrome apps on Windows, Mac and Linux but will continue to surface extensions and themes.

As posted on their blog:

‘On Windows, Mac, and Linux, we encourage developers to migrate their Chrome apps to the web. Developers who can’t fully move their apps to the web can help us prioritize new APIs to fill the gaps left by Chrome apps. In the short term, they can also consider using a Chrome extension or platforms such as Electron or NW.js. ‘