Categories: ChromebooksInnovation

Google’s “App Runtime for Chrome” brings Android apps to Chrome OS

After showing off several Android apps running on a Chromebook at Google I/O, Google has finally released four Android apps that also work on Chromebooks.
Update: as of October 9th, three more apps have been migrated to the store: OneFootball, Podcastaddict, and CloudMagic.

Utilizing a project Google is calling “App Runtime for Chrome”, popular Android apps Duolingo, Evernote, Sight Words, and Vine are available for download on Chrome OS through the Chrome Web Store. Although Google has not released much official information about the program, as its name suggests, it ports applications developed for Android into Chrome OS. Google is also keeping quiet about what other apps may go through this process, only stating that “over the coming months, we’ll be working with a select group of Android developers to add more of your favorite apps so you’ll have a more seamless experience across your Android phone and Chromebook.” However, Google has provided a form to suggest apps that you would like see on a Chromebook here.

We spoke to the rest of Newmind, and some apps we’d like to see on a Chromebook include:

Very few people have been utilizing the apps so far, with the Chrome Web Store showing that each has only about 30-40 users. Early reviews of the apps are mixed, with many users enjoying the app, but others complaining that certain functions were lost in translation. Some common complaints are a fixed window size, not allowing users to expand the app to full screen, and text that is too small to read on most Chromebooks’ screens.

This announcement opens up exciting new possibilities for cross-platform capabilities and expansion, allowing developers to create two apps, while only developing one. This could also be used to expand the Chrome Web Store’s selection of education apps with many of the Android apps available in Google Play For Education.

What apps would you like to see brought to Chromebooks? Tell us in the comments, and tell Google with this form!

Tyler Triemstra

Tyler Triemstra is an intern at Newmind Group. He works on internal improvements to make the sales process more efficient, but mainly, he is learning a ton from the team at Newmind. He has a passion for technology and enjoys being part of a team that helps businesses use technology effectively. Tyler is a sophomore in college who enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering.