Here we hope to address the difference between a Google OS App, an App, and a Google Extension.

Or put another way – the difference between a Chrome OS App, a Chrome App, and a Chrome Extension.

To begin, there is no dictionary with a proper definition of these terms. In most cases there is functional overlap. In some cases the merging of technologies influences or creates their definition.

At the expense of technicalities, let’s get along with some good working definitions.

What is the definition of Google Extensions, or Chrome Extensions?

“Extensions extend the functionality of Google Chrome and the websites being viewed in it.” “Extensions … have little or no user interface component”. ¹

By definition Extensions work at different sites, and work with different Apps.

An example would be the current most popular Google Extension – AdBlock. AdBlock extends the Chrome Browser functionality to suppress ads, at any web site. Another example is the second most popular Extension – Google Mail Checker. Google Mail Checker extends the functionality of Chrome Browser to display un-read messages and give access to your Google Mail Account.

In sum, Extensions enhance a web site or give access to other sites or Apps.

What is the definition of an App? Or Chrome App?

An App is an application that you can run inside your browser. An App usually features a dedicated user interface, and rich user interaction. An App functionally is what PC Users would call a program.

The term App itself has evolved from smartphone Apps. With smartphones an App is downloaded entirely and interacts uniquely with the App Host via the cell phone network.

Since access is not a bottleneck with the internet, the term App outside the smartphone world does not require a total download or any download to function. However it characteristics are similar to smartphone Apps.

A sub set of Apps are Chrome Apps. These Apps function only with the Chrome Browser. For Mozilla Firefox users, Chrome Apps are similar to plug-ins.

What is a Google Chrome OS App?

Before we get to define a Google Chrome OS App, we have to make one more divide. Within the world of Apps there are Hosted Apps and Packaged Apps. Again, since we are borrowing the term App from the smartphone world, App in the pc/internet world is somewhat different. There is no reason in the smartphone world to distinguish whether the App is Hosted or Packaged. However, with the coming of Chrome OS, this distinction is critical. At this time Chrome OS specifications do not include a hard drive or substantial non-volatile memory. Therefore, deduction tells us that Chrome OS Apps must be Hosted Apps. Packaged Apps will have no place to reside with Chrome OS.

Are there other terms that would work to describe a Chrome OS App? Cloud Apps, Netware, and more – all are used to describe Apps that reside on the internet and usually can be run by a browser.

Will there be Apps that run only on the Google Chrome OS? At this time the stated interest of Google is purely to support the internet. Google OS Apps only would serve the use of Google OS and not the internet. But we all know times change.

We hope this helps you understand better What a Google OS App is, or what at this time it appears to be.

It is our interest here at Google OS Apps to provide a central, non-biased, list of Google OS Apps.

It’s our intention to provide You with a simple place to find Google OS Apps.

¹Extensions, Packaged Apps, and Hosted Apps in the Chrome Web Store

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