"Apps" is an abbreviation for "applications", which is another word for "programs". Google has their own apps store (chrome.google.com/webstore), with tons of free apps and extensions.
Most apps and extensions are web-based, so they follow you to any computer when you log on to Chrome; however, some of them are computer-based, so they won't follow you around, and you'll have to re-install them if you want them on a different computer. How to tell? If you go to use an app or extension on a new computer and it's not there, you need to re-install it! (I know, very technical.)
EXTENSIONS
Extensions add functions and abilities to Chrome. You can toggle them or or off, and you can always delete them if you don't like them.
Extensions usually appear as buttons in the Chrome window, to the right of the address bar, or can be found in "Customize/Settings - Tools - Extensions" menu in Chrome, where they can be toggled on or off.
- Send from Gmail (button) - Clicking this button creates a new Gmail message; the subject line is the name of the web page you are on, and a link to the web page is in the body of the email. Just enter an address and click "Send," and you've shared a web page in seconds!
- Print Friendly & PDF (button) - Clicking this opens up a print dialogue window; within this window, you can easily "delete" portions of the page that are not needed, allowing you to save ink and paper.
- Awesome Screenshot (button) - Clicking this button takes a picture of the page (or section of the page) you are on, and allows you to crop it; edit it; add text, shapes, or arrows; and save it for later use or email it.
- Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer ("hidden") - Helps Chrome to properly render PDFs and uploaded PowerPoint files for viewing.
- goo.gl URL shortener - (button) Navigate to a page, click the button, and there's your shortened URL!
- TabCloud (button) - Captures a list of your open tabs and lets you go back to it at a later date. Handy!
- Tab packager by tab.bz (button) - When clicked, creates a shortened URL that allows you to email (or re-open) all the tabs you currently have open; kind of like TabCloud.
- Chrome Toolbox (button) - Gives you one-click access to some of the settings and features of Chrome.
- Gmail Offline (hidden) - Great if you're on a mobile device that might lose its data/wifi connection - creates a cache of current mail, lets you write mail, and sends mail as soon as you have wifi again.
APPS
Apps run as separate programs in addition to Chrome. They will show up in a "New Tab", and can be removed by right-clicking and choosing "Remove from Chrome".
Apps usually appear on a "New Tab" in Chrome.
- Google Keep - A "To-do" list you can check from any internet connection; you can also share individual lists with others for collaboration
- WeVideo - Incorporates into Google Drive, allows you to edit video online from within your Chrome/Drive account.
- Daum Equation Editor - Create complex mathematical formulas. These can be saved as text or as an image; and the images can now be inserted into a new Google Form.
- A Quotation - This app brings you to a web page with a thought-provoking quotation. Can be a great writing prompt or conversation starter!
- Calculator - Um, it's a calculator. Pre-installed on school Chrome accounts. (You can do basic math in the address bar of the Chrome browser - Enter your equation and hit "Enter" to see results.)
- Timer - Um, it's a timer. Pre-installed on school Chrome accounts. (You might want to check out online-stopwatch.com for a really great stopwatch/countdown timer.)