Chrome Apps for Mobile upgraded to feel more like native apps

BY GreenBot Staff

Published 23 Sep 2014

In nuary, introduced the Chrome Apps for Mobile project that allows developers to port Chrome packaged apps for the desktop to Android iOS. Mozilla has a similar project for apps built for Firefox OS.

haven’t heard much about the project since nuary, but recently announced a new set of features coming to Chrome Apps for Mobile. The new additions should allow Chrome apps to behave more like mobile apps, including one-tap sign-ins rich notifications.

chromeapps

‘s Chrome app Topeka running on Android 4.4.2, KitKat.

also added a capability that allows developers to bring the latest Chromium bView to devices running Android versions as old as Ice Cream Swich. The updated bView should bring new capabilities better performance to apps running on older devices.

To show off how Chrome apps can perform, released its Chrome app, Topeka, for mobile. says the quiz app has smoother performance on older devices thanks to the latest version of Chromium bView.

It’s still early days for Chrome Apps for Mobile, but the project is yet another example of how the lines are starting to blur between ‘s two major platforms. Only recently, started allowing Chromebooks to run Android apps, now Chrome apps are better equipped to invade the Android platform.

But what exactly is ‘s endgame here? Are we seeing the convergence of Chrome OS Android, which  co-founder Sergey Brin said might happen way back in 2009? If so, the dominance of Chrome apps for mobile in ay is a long way away.

at is clear is that is very interested in putting more Chrome in your life whether it’s on your , smartphone, or tablet. Only recently, added a Chrome packaged apps section to ay for ucation, a special version of ay for educational institutions.

It all makes you wonder if the Chrome b Store is also slated to merge with ay in the near-ish future.