The 9 Free Google Chrome Apps You Need Now
Up your productivity for free with these web apps.
Image via Complex Original
Intro
Those of you have that have made the change over to Google's Chrome web browser probably think it's the greatest thing since the Supreme Black Nike Dunk Low Pro SBs, or at least since Netscape Navigator. But it can get better. How? Through the Chrome Web Store. True, a great number of the apps available in Google's web app shop are merely pre-existing Internet applications ported over Chrome, but that doesn't make them any less dope. The big news recently was Angry Birds hitting the Chrome Web Store. We suggest you download that immediately, but when you're done, check out these 9 Free Chrome Apps that will help you get some work done before you go back to playing Angry Birds
Tweetdeck
Tweetdeck
Type: Social networking
One of the most popular and powerful Twitter clients is now available right in your browser with the new Tweetdeck Chrome app. All your favorite features from the standalone desktop version (and some from the mobile versions) are available here—allowing you to connect to all your people on Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, and Google Buzz if that's your thing. The newest version brings with it a number of new features including faster loading times and an easier ability to view trending topics and Twitter users.
Gett
Gett
Type: File Storage, Transfer Utility
Ge.tt is one of the easiest, fastest, and most clever web apps we've come across, and the Chrome app only amplifies all those qualities. What is it? Simply: A file-sharing app that allows you to instantly share any file you want whether stored locally on your computer, or found somewhere on the Net. You don't need a login—all you do is choose the file you want to share, upload it, and wait for the link to instantly appear. Once you have the link, you can share it with friends before the file is even finished being uploaded.
Grooveshark
Grooveshark
Type: Music
Until Spotify hits our shores, your best bet for streaming music online is Grooveshark. The official Grooveshark app was mysteriously removed from the Chrome Web Store, but a user has taken on the civic duty of re-porting it back over. The online jukebox is user-supported: all of the 110 million songs streamed each month are uploaded by Grooveshark's 35 million users. You can pretty much find any song you're looking for. All the features from the website have been ported over, so you can create playlists, stream radio stations, and upload your own songs.
Evernote
Evernote
Type: Productivity
If you own an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android device, we really, really hope you already have Evernote installed. Why? Because it's one of the best note-taking services we've come across. You can jot down ideas, save full documents like images, PDFs, and even audio clips, and access all of it from any Internet-connected computer. The Chrome app does all of that with a clean, attractive, easy-to-use interface. It also gives you some browser-centric add-ons like the ability to take pieces of a webpage and clip 'em into a note. You need it. Download it.
eBuddy
eBuddy
Type: Communication
Those of you avid Meebo users (and users of other web-based instant message clients) need to check out eBuddy. Despite supporting all of the popular messaging networks—AIM, Yahoo!, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, and MSN—it's one of the only web-based chat clients that allow you to video chat. Take that as you please.
Read Later Fast
Read Later Fast
Type: Productivity
There are a number of tools available to help you manage the barrage of stories you come across on the Internet, Read Later Fast is one of our favorites. Also available for Firefox, RLF lets you save clips to read later when you're not busy doing a million other things. Simply right-click on a story and select "Read Later" and it will be archived. Pieces can be made to be read as clean text or as a slideshow and can be read offline.
Write Space
Write Space
Type: Productivity
If you're looking for a simple-to-use text editor, look no further. Write Space lives in your browser but saves documents to your hard drive so you always have 'em, and so you can work offline. Info on your document, like word count, is presented right there on the doc negating the need for tons of menus. It also saves your work instantaneously so you're never S.O.L. in the event of a crash. If you really want to get away from all your distracting windows and apps, make the app full-screen. We wish TextEdit was this good.
Audiotool
Audiotool
Type: Music Utility
Think of Audiotool as a web-based version of Fruity Loops Studio, only a tad more powerful. Created by Burn Studios, Audiotool lets you use a wide range of instruments—from vintage guitars to new synths—mix your track down, and even record vocals. When it's done, you can share it with Burn Studio's online community or download the MP3 to your computer.
Aviary
Aviary
Type: Music Utility
Aviary won't replace Photoshop, but for those that need a simple image editor to resize images, add simple effects, and do a little touching up, this app fits the bill.
