Computer Shopper - UK (2019-10)

ADVANCEDPROJECTS

ISSUE 380|COMPUTERSHOPPER|OCTOBER 2019 127

APP LOADOUT

Chrome OS comes with lots of apps
pre-installed, but CloudReady comes with
practically nothing. Open the Launcher and
select WebStore to search forapps. For
example,ifyou want Gmail, search foritand
click Install. Agree to the prompt and Gmail
will be installed to your Launcher menu. If
you want to add Gmail to the
Shelf,you’ll need to click
the expand arrow on
Launcher (centre top)
and right-click the
icon, and then
select Pin to Shelf.
Again, remember
that CloudReady
(and Chrome OS)
is essentially a
glorified web browser,
so these ‘apps’ tend to
really be shortcuts to
the web service; click them
and the appropriatewebsite
launches in the Chromium web browser.
The standard install of Chrome OS comes
with arange of apps and services pre-
installed. Most of these are available on
CloudReady,soifyou want to make your DIY
Chromebook as close to the genuine article
as possible,here’s what to install.
The most obvious starting point is the
GSuiteapps: Docs, Sheets, Slides and Gmail.
Chrome OS also comes with Duolingo,
Evernote, Sight Words and Vine.However,
you’ll have to use the slightly homebrew

alternatives Duolingo on the Weband

EvernotePanel forthe first two apps.

Avoid the PlayStore extension, however.

While it has the Google PlayStore icon and

looks as if it should work, it actually takes

you to aFrench games site. It’s farbetter to

createyour own app.Search forPlayStore

UK and open the link (play.google.com/store/

apps?hl=en_GB). Open the settings menu

(the three dots), then More Tools and then

select CreateShortcut. The prompt window

will ask you to name the new shortcut, and

also whether to Open as Window.Tick this

box and your shortcut will open in its own

⬆Use the CloudReady Launcher to search for
apps on the WebStore

⬆The Chromebook Status lozenge opens amenu of basic system settings

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