How to Build Simple Chrome Apps

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Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers used today, and it is also easy to build all sorts of apps for it.  All you really need to build your own Chrome app is some HTML, Javascript, and CSS know-how.  In some cases, you don't even need to know that much.

 

Writing A Chrome App in Minutes

If you have ever taken a look at the Google Web Store, you might have noticed that many of the apps there are nothing more than simple shortcuts to webpages.  If you look at the Hootsuite app, you will find that it's basically a shortcut that opens Hootsuite.com. If you want to create something more than just a bookmark, this can also be done, but will need a bit more know-how.

When Google Chrome starts up, users are presented with two options.  You will see either "most visited" Web pages in the form of thumbnails or a list of Google Chrome apps.  It is not that difficult to add your very own apps to this start screen to launch your own page or service on these lists.

In order to do this, you are going to need an icon.  You can easily get one of these from sites such as FindIcon.com. For an icon that you will use for Chrome, a size of 128 pixels by 128 pixels is recommended. When you find one that fits your purposes, download it, store it in a folder and give it a name. In this case, let’s call it “icon1.png”.

Now you will need to create a text file, and once it is created, copy and paste the following code inside it. 

 

{

“NAME” : “put the name of your app here”,

“VERSION” : “1”,

“ICONS” : {“128”: “Icon1.png”},

“APP” : {

“URLS”: [

HTTP://url of web site goes here”

}

}

}

 

Now fill in the fields when you are prompted.  If you are a freelance writer who uses Freelancer, you could fill it in as such:

 

“NAME” : “freelancer launcher”,

“VERSION” : “1”,

“ICONS” : {“128”: “Icon1.png”},

“APP” : {

“URLS”: [

HTTP://www.freelancer.com”

}

}

}

 

Now save this text file under a name, say freelancer.json.

 

Install and Activate the Application

Now you will need to click on the Wrench icon in Google Chrome by going to Tools, and then Extensions.  On the next screen you will see Developer Mode, click on it.  Then you need to click Load Unpacked Extensions.

Select the folder you created in the step above and hit OK.  Now your new Google app is ready to be used.  This is an example of how to create an app for your private use.  If you are looking to have an app published in a web store, there are a few more steps you need to take, but first you will need to master this method before you are ready.

Közzétéve 10 április, 2015

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