Making Google Chrome More Powerful

Posted on 02.14.2018 - By Dillyn Barber

Many people do not realize that Google Chrome is more than just a browser – it is a powerful operating system. As such, there are hundreds, if not thousands of applications you can add to it from the Chrome Web Store that can help your business do anything from managing projects to making training videos.

These applications come in two (2) flavors, (Chrome Extensions and Chrome Apps). Chrome Extensions are used to enhance the functionality of the Chrome Browser while Chrome Apps run within the browser and typically have a different user interface.

Both of these tools can greatly enhance a user’s experience while working in the browser as they bring some of the functionality “desktop” users (ie Windows/Mac) have come to expect to the browser.

Below are some of the basic Chrome Extensions and Apps that Cave Consulting has found to be very helpful to our business users:

Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides

View and edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files — without needing Microsoft Office installed on your computer.

Uses:

Allows you to open Word, Excel and Powerpoint files from Gmail, without having to download.
Make minor changes to Word, Excel and Powerpoint files from the Chrome Browser.

Google Hangouts

Use Hangouts to keep in touch via chat, SMS, phone or Video and find your conversations in Gmail. Screenshare and have video meetings with up to 150 people. Easy access from the Chrome Browser.

Uses:

Quickly chat with a co-worker or team member and get an instant response without having to send an email.
See if your coworker is available before wasting your time sending them a message.
Use Hangouts to Chat or SMS (text) from the browser or mobile app, then find your Hangouts via searches in Gmail.
Make phone calls from the browser or mobile device.
Conduct video meetings with your team, clients and prospects. Have face to face meetings and share your screen with others.

Grammarly for Chrome

Grammarly will make sure your messages, documents, and social media posts are clear, mistake-free, and impactful. Adding Grammarly to Chrome means that your spelling and grammar will be vetted on Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, and nearly everywhere else you write on the web.

Uses:

Replaces the Gmail default spell checker with a more robust checker that also looks at grammer.

Awesome Screenshot: Screen Video Recording

Screencast, record screen as video. Screen capture for full page, annotate, blur sensitive info, and share with one-click uploads

Uses:

Grab screen shot of some or part of a webpage and make annotations, right from your browser.

Screencastify – Screen Video Recorder

Capture, edit and share videos in seconds.

Uses:

Easily make instructional videos to train your employees or clients how to use an application or complete a process.

Adobe Acrobat

Convert current web page to an Adobe PDF file (Windows only)

Uses:

Open PDF files with this tool instead of the default Chrome PDF opener.
Integrates with Adobe Acrobat on the Windows desktop.

Apps Launcher

Launch Chrome apps using a fancy popup.

Uses:

Google Chrome is really an operating system that runs programs (similar to Windows). This app gives you quick access to all of the “Chrome Apps” you install.

MS from Gmail ™ & Facebook™ and MightyText – SMS from PC & Text from Computer

Text using your Android phone # directly from Gmail™ or Facebook. See your calls & phone battery. SMS, MMS, group messaging, texting

Uses:

Synchronizes your phone texting app with the browser so you can see texts as they arrive on your mobile device.
Allows you to send and receive texts right from Gmail so you don’t have to check your phone.