You might have never heard of the Chrome app launcher. That’s why Google (GOOGL) is removing the feature from Apple, Windows, and Linux operating systems starting in a few weeks—though it will still remain on the Chrome OS, where the launcher is a core part of its platform.
The app launcher, which is a feature of Google’s Internet browser, allows users to launch their apps, whether it be email or calendar, from within the browser via a shortcut panel. But Google engineers realized, three years after its debut, that the app launcher had a pretty small audience.
“With Chrome’s continued emphasis on simplicity and streamlining browser features, the launcher will be removed from those platforms,” Google wrote in a Tuesday blog post. Chrome has come under fire before for being slow and a power glutton. In response, Google removed the Chrome desktop notification center icon.
Still, it is going to be rough for the minority of people who do use the app launcher regularly:
Dammit Google! 😣😠 Ugh… I use the @googlechrome#AppLauncher every day. #grumble#firstworldproblemshttps://t.co/Y3vaMBK78r
— Kerry Wyler (@kerrywyler) March 23, 2016
I actually was a big fan of the Chrome App launcher….this is the problem with #google…changes on whim..no consistent experience
— Adeel Khamisa (@anteyekon4myst) March 22, 2016
I'm obviously in the minority, but I like the chrome app launcher. It's niche for sure but I use it all the time https://t.co/iVJ8blvVTv
— {witty pun goes here} (@jmsaye) March 23, 2016
Although some say it was a good thing that the app is finally gone:
#bbcqt#IllNeverBeTooOldTo#f4f#follow4follow#followback Google is finally killing its silly Chrome app launcher… pic.twitter.com/9SqGP3A63a
— Indian Tech Vlogger (@IndianTechVlog) March 23, 2016
In a few weeks, users who download Google Chrome will no longer be able to access the app launcher. And in July, Google plans to take out the launcher for users who have already installed Chrome.