Google has quietly released its Chrome App Launcher for Windows. Previously only available as a developer preview, the full-release app allows for rapid access to various Google services and installed Chrome apps directly from the Windows 7 and Windows 8 menu bar, as well as through the start page on Windows 8.
The launcher has been available to use for quite some time on Chrome OS, and appeared in the Chromium edition for Windows, Mac, and Linux a few months ago. While the launch has taken place for Windows users, as spotted by Engadget, the OS X and Linux versions have yet to be fully released, though today’s launch will suggest they are not that far off from release.
The Chrome App Launcher brings up a similar menu to the app listings in the Chrome browser, loading up a pop-up window similar to the Start Menu containing installed Chrome items. The top of the Chrome App Launcher window also acts as a search bar for apps, which could be useful for those with more than a few pages of Chrome apps, though it appears not to provide full Google search capabilities.
