Google introduces ‘Essentials’ app for Windows, streamlining access to popular services

Google recently introduced a new app for Windows laptops that makes it easy for users to access popular Google services. Dubbed “Essentials,” the new app is currently available on all Windows-powered HP laptops like Spectre, Envy, Pavilion, OMED, Victus and the upcoming Omnibook series.

In a blog post, Google said the new app “makes it easier for you to discover and install many of our best Google services,” when setting up a new PC. Apart from Google Play Games, which is already available for Windows PCs, the new app will offer access to Google Photos and Google Messages and the company’s productivity suite which includes the likes of Google Docs, Sheets, Drive and Calendar.

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While Google is yet to announce the full list of apps that will be available on Windows machines, the company said that users can uninstall the Essentials app or a part of it anytime they want. The tech giant is also offering a 2-month free 100GB Google One plan for new subscribers. You can access Google Essentials right from the Start Menu, but it is still not known if the new apps will be native or web-based. The user interface is still under wraps too.

It is also unclear if and when Google plans to bring its Essentials app for non-HP laptops. However, the company did say it will expand Google Essentials to more laptops and desktops in the “coming months”.