This news was pointed out by the repository in GitHub called Mobile Chrome Apps. Apparently, it has been created by Michal Mocny, a software developer at Google. Google Groups also hint the project, expected to hit beta mode in January 2014.
Here’s a report from TheNextWeb, the source first sighting the repo:
“Google is working on bringing Chrome packaged apps from the desktop to the mobile world. The company is currently building a toolkit to help developers create Chrome apps for Android and iOS, as well as port their existing Chrome apps to both mobile platforms.
The toolkit will help developers create Android and iOS hybrid native apps with Chrome app polyfills, through Apache Cordova. The steps include modifying for mobile design, fixing bugs, working around limitations, and of course, testing.â€
And the page description at GitHub reads (summarized)
- You’re excited about Chrome Packaged App for Windows, OSX, Linux, and ChromeOS. Sweet!
- You’ve discovered this toolkit for creating Android & iOS hybrid native apps with chrome app polyfills.
- Follow our Guide (below) to Import your existing chrome app (or start fresh).
- ???? (modify for mobile design, fix bugs, work-around limitations, and test)
- Publish to the Android Play Store or iOS App Store.
- Profit!
Usually, languages such as JavaScript and HTML5 are used for Chrome apps, and they can also get access to Gmail, cloud services and Chrome browser APIs. Also, they can run offline.
At this point, we can’t say how they’ll appear on iOS, and how they’ll be different from third-party offerings. Developers have confirmed a beta for next month, but Google still has to make a comment.
