Microsoft Store played host to the Google Chrome app, albeit only briefly as the app promptly got removed from the store soon. The reason being cited is that the app flouted Microsoft Store guidelines though the Redmond company extended an invitation to Google to relaunch the browser app provided it complies with the Store policies.
What irked Microsoft is that the Chrome app for Microsoft Store was primarily just the installer that guided users to download the browser directly from Google. That, however, isn’t what an app on its Store is supposed to be. Instead, Microsoft requires all apps to comply with its Centennial guidelines, a system that allows for clean uninstallation, besides a convenient centralized method of upgradations as well.
However, while the above benefits applicable to Store app does have its positives, the relative popularity of the Chrome browser vis-a-vis Microsoft’s own Edge remains undeniable. As such, the Edge largely acts as the tool to get the web version of Chrome installed on most Windows devices worldwide.
This also is one of the reasons Google may not be too overtly eager to launch a Microsoft Store compliant Chrome app anytime soon. Chances of the browser making it to the Windows 10 S platform are even more meagre given that the specific Windows version inherently restricts running any app other than those present in the Store. And with Windows 10 S having a smaller user base compared to Windows 10, the platform does not enticing enough for Google to launch a Windows 10 S compliant app just yet.
There are a few technical limitations as well that could further dissuade Google from launching a Chrome browser app for Windows 10. Since Google uses its own Blink rendering engine to power Chrome, that goes against Windows 10 policies that require browsers for the platform to be based on HTML and JavsScript engines that Windows 10 is compatible with.
So if Google were to launch its Chrome app for Microsoft Store, it has to be an entirely new app specifically applicable to Windows 10 users.
That further makes it unlikely for Google to let a rival platform have one of its best-liked apps, this at a time when the high stakes battle of the computing segment has a lot to do with the individual app depth that each platform provides for.
Meanwhile, Google has also announced new measures that likely will further enhance the browser’s appeal. Those will be in the form of enabling auto-playing videos only when muted. Further, the videos will be in accordance to the likes expressed by the user, which means those videos that goes against the person’s interest will not be allowed to play. The new Chrome version is slated for launch on January 15, 2018.
