Support our independent tech coverage. Chrome Unboxed is written by real people, for real people—not search algorithms. Join Chrome Unboxed Plus for just $2 a month to get an ad-free experience, access to our private Discord, and more. Learn more about membership here.
START FREE TRIAL (MONTHLY)START FREE TRIAL (ANNUAL)
When the Google Play Store was announced for Chromebooks, we were collectively excited. Productivity and gaming have some definite holes for Chrome OS, and the idea that Android Apps could bridge that gap is quite amazing.
We’ve talked at length about this around here (and will continue to), so you can check out this link and this one if you aren’t familiar.
Today, however, is focused on how these apps run on Chromebooks. And the results so far, are great!
One of the huge holes in the Chrome OS library is gaming. Web apps are fun and can be mildly entertaining, but we are nowhere close to the level of gaming we see on mobile. Games like Shadowgun:Deadzone, Alto’s Adventure or Monument Valley simply don’t exist in web app formats.
And those games are crazy-fun!
On the productivity side, apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint now give Chromebook users the ability to open, edit, and create documents in those file forms if necessary. For me it isn’t needed, but there are many who, for work or school, need these apps.
Done.
And what about image editing and social media? How about Photoshop and Instagram, right on your Chromebook? Readers like Google Play Books and Flipboard?
Got it.
But none of this means squat unless the apps can run on lower-end hardware. As affordable Chromebooks become more and more accessible, more and more people are clamoring for them. A few of my most-viewed videos are the ASUS C201 and the ASUS Chromebook Flip. These devices have the last-gen Rockchip RK3288C and keep the cost really low for what you are getting.
And the Flip was the first Chromebook to get Android Apps as well. So, with so much attention being turned towards cheaper Chromebooks, how are they going to perform once Android Apps show up?
Quite well, actually.
Below is a quick video of actual apps running on my ASUS Chromebook Flip. I mention each one in the video, but here’s the rundown of apps you’ll see.
Instagram
Shadowgun:Deadzone
Alto’s Adventure
Monument Valley
Photoshop Lightroom
Microsoft Word
Netflix
Flipboard
Given that these are running this well on the weakest processor available right now (among Chromebooks getting the Play Store) we feel confident that, without doubt, Android apps won’t have any issues on any Chromebook. Period.
And that is great news for us all! Enjoy the video!
