systems today. Chrome OS,
2
for example, is an operating system that was
designed for executing web applications.
Very early on, Google realized that applications made using standard web
technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript could also work well on
the desktop. So they invented Google Chrome apps, a technology for using
web technologies to create desktop applications.
Google operates a web shop for Chrome apps.
3
Also, the company has released
an application launcher that allows you to start Chrome apps without starting
the browser.
Unlike regular websites, you can use many Chrome apps when you’re offline.
You can even find complete office suites that were implemented as Chrome
apps.
In contrast to native applications, web applications and JavaScript programs
are often limited in a number of ways. Usually that’s a good thing, because
it prevents malicious websites from compromising your computer. Still, there
are situations where a bit more freedom would be advantageous—for example,
if you’d like to access serial devices from your browser.
Chrome apps address exactly this issue and provide APIs to access serial,
USB, or Bluetooth devices. They also come with a mature permission manage-
ment, so users can decide whether a certain application should get access to
a particular resource.
2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrome_OS
3.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps
Appendix 4. Controlling the Arduino with a Browser • 268
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