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Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

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Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#201

Post by jblwps »

lizknope wrote: post #64
tyingq wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was a guy releasing SeaBIOS ROMs so you can install regular Linux if your device is supported. The project is dead now, but since your device is older, there's a fair chance it's supported. I used it for a Chromebox and the process was pretty straightforward. https://johnlewis.ie/custom-chromebook-firmware/rom-download...

I have a Chromebook C710 and C720 (about 5-6 years old) and I flashed the firmware on both. The C710 now runs Windows 10 and the C720 runs Fedora 31.

I'm running Fedora 31 on my C710 too as my daily driver. It's a surprisingly good experience! You've definitely got to manage your CPU expectations.

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#202

Post by boring_twenties »

CydeWeys wrote: post #170
AstralStorm wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not if you expand the $10 into a class action. That however is a lot of work.

It still doesn't add up to a lot of money. The total class of people who were trying to run Linux on the PS3 and then weren't able to just isn't that big.

Once the class action is in motion, what's to stop many more PS3 owners to claim that they were interested in running Linux just to get the free ten bucks?

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#203

Post by mffnbs »

fenwick67 wrote: post #144
crazygringo wrote: post #92

First of all, this was announced more than 3 years ago, and it still won't happen for another 2.5 years. Second of all, this should be treated as good news for the HN crowd: Google is transitioning from a proprietary, Chrome-only app model to the open-standard, PWA model. Who doesn't support that? There are a bunch of "typical Google cancelling a product" comments here. But for real, I simply cannot imagine any Chrom…

Off the top of my head, these were the Chrome apps I used: * VideoStream (allowed casting to Chromecast from filesystem) * PostMan * Internal tools at previous job that used MDNS None of these applications work as a PWA. All of these moved to Electron instead. Which is heavier and just as non-standard and dependent on Chromium as Chrome Apps.

Postman has become so bloated in the past two years to a degree where I don’t enjoy using it anymore. Anyone know of an alternative that keeps it simple?

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#204

Post by ajross »

wazoox wrote: post #13

Typical Google move. I have a Chromebook. It was listed on the models that would support Android app, this support never came (it's still "planned", 2 years later...). Support for Linux apps didn't come, either. So now I suppose my Chromebook will be soon a useless brick. Thanks, Google. Got the message, I'll never use any product with your badge again.

> So now I suppose my Chromebook will be soon a useless brick.

ChromeOS devices don't, in general, rely on Chrome applications any more than windows laptops do. The vast majority of the "apps" you might see on your home bar are, in fact, just web links. Is there a specific app you're worried about?

Some of your branding confusion is, in fact, exactly what Google is trying to treat here. "Chrome Apps" were a particular API for persistent web applications. It doesn't mean "apps on Chrome" and it doesn't mean standards-compliant progressive web apps.

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#205

Post by techntoke »

jermaustin1 wrote: post #102
crazygringo wrote: post #92

First of all, this was announced more than 3 years ago, and it still won't happen for another 2.5 years. Second of all, this should be treated as good news for the HN crowd: Google is transitioning from a proprietary, Chrome-only app model to the open-standard, PWA model. Who doesn't support that? There are a bunch of "typical Google cancelling a product" comments here. But for real, I simply cannot imagine any Chrom…

As a person who uses the Hangouts chrome app daily, I have been expecting a day when I go to launch it and it wont open for the last 3 years. Google doesn't want to support "Classic Hangouts" anymore (and supposedly they killed it in October for GSuite, but not for my domain, I guess). Hangouts is one of the only ways I privately communicate with old friends and past co-workers since EVERYONE has at least one gmail a…

Duo is their future replacement and works fine on the desktop.

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#206

Post by techntoke »

tyingq wrote: post #33
techntoke wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My understanding is this is the direction they are heading and I don't see this as a bad move on their part for this reason. If they were getting rid of PWAs then I would be upset.

There are some chrome apps that you can't do as a PWA or Chrome extension. For example, there's a local webserver that serves up a folder over http. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/web-server-for-chr...

A local web server is something that can easily be setup on desktop and mobile outside of Chrome.

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#207

Post by heavyset_go »

CydeWeys wrote: post #169
Already__Taken wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Once they started selling $2k+ versions, yeh I kind of do think expect that actually.

Yeah, I have no idea who those are for, but the cheaper ones are great for family members who only really need to browse the Web anyway. My tech support burden is way down, and so I love Chromebooks for other people.

I've been recommending cheap Linux laptops like the Pinebook (as well as the Pro) for family members who just use their computers for email and Facebook. Turns out if they spend 99% of their time using Firefox, Linux is a good platform that can suit their needs just fine. Haven't had a tech support call in ages.

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#208

Post by techntoke »

Jyaif wrote: post #126
est wrote: post #106

That's too bad. Chrome Apps allows TCP/UDP communication and it could create interesting apps.

+1 I'm still using JSTorrent ( https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/jstorrent/anhdpjpo... ). It's impossible to implement the BitTorrent protocol using a webapp, which means that once Chrome Apps are gone I'll have to revert to using a native client, which I don't trust one bit.

Why do you think it is impossible. There are plenty of JS BitTorrent implementations.

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#209

Post by scrame »

wazoox wrote: post #13

Typical Google move. I have a Chromebook. It was listed on the models that would support Android app, this support never came (it's still "planned", 2 years later...). Support for Linux apps didn't come, either. So now I suppose my Chromebook will be soon a useless brick. Thanks, Google. Got the message, I'll never use any product with your badge again.

I bought a Google branded LG phone about 8 years ago. It was complete garbage and they EOL'd it after 6 months and never delivered anything that they promised. I've never given google hardware a second look after that.

Ah, here's a review: https://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/t-mobile-g2x-review

Re: Google is finally killing off Chrome apps, which nobody really used

#210

Post by eberkund »

crazygringo wrote: post #92

First of all, this was announced more than 3 years ago, and it still won't happen for another 2.5 years. Second of all, this should be treated as good news for the HN crowd: Google is transitioning from a proprietary, Chrome-only app model to the open-standard, PWA model. Who doesn't support that? There are a bunch of "typical Google cancelling a product" comments here. But for real, I simply cannot imagine any Chrom…

Postman used to be available as a Chrome app but when this was announced they released it as an Electron app instead.
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