Google has announced that it will soon retire the Chrome app launcher on Mac, Windows and Linux. The company says it made the decision because the launcher is rarely used on those platforms. While new Chrome installs will come without the app launcher starting in the coming weeks, Google says current users will still be able to use it through July. From Google:
The removal process will take place over the next several months. Beginning in a few weeks, Chrome will no longer enable the launcher when users first install a Chrome app. Anyone who currently has the launcher will receive a notice informing them that the launcher will be going away. In July, existing instances of the launcher will be removed.
Users will still be able to access Chrome apps by clicking shortcuts in the bookmarks bar or heading to chrome://apps from the address bar.
Again, the app launcher's removal is only for Chrome installs on Mac, Windows and Linux. The launcher will remain in its current state for Chrome OS users.
