Integrate Google Apps into Windows 8

Computer Store News: Windows 8 is designed to drive Microsoft's Web services: Bing, Internet Explorer, Outlook.com and more. However, Windows 8 is not limited to Microsoft services. Google services: Gmail, Google Search, Chrome and more can be integrated into Windows 8. Google has made a number of Windows UI-style applications for Windows 8, and even includes extremely important Google services products, such as the Gmail app. But unfortunately, contact and calendar sync will stop working in July.

Google Search

Google has made a Windows UI-style app: Google Search App. The installation can be obtained from the Windows Store, and in this view, a Windows 8 style Google search screen will be rendered. The purpose of this app is to compete with Microsoft's Bing search application.

If you use Internet Explorer, you can also change IE's default search engine to Google. This option can only be modified from the desktop version of Internet Explorer, although it also affects Windows UI-style Internet Explorer.

Chrome

Google's web browser for Windows 8. If you have the Chrome browser installed and set it as your default browser, you will be using a WIndows UI-style Google Chrome in the new Windows 8 environment. This gives you access to your Google Account synced bookmarks, apps, extensions and other browser data.

You can switch between two styles of Google Chrome - Desktop mode and Windows 8 mode - Restart the Chrome browser's menu options in Chrome.

Please note that Microsoft prohibits third-party browsers from being used in Windows RT applications, just as they prohibit third-party desktop applications. For example, Microsoft's Surface RT Windows RT machine, you will have to use a browser other than Internet Explorer to render web browsing.

Gmail, Contacts, and Calendars

The Windows 8 Mail app supports Gmail account syncing. You will be able to read your email, send an email, see new email notifications, etc. from your Gmail account.

To add your Google Account, open the mail application, press the Windows key + I to open “Set” and select an account.

Select the Google "Account" option and enter the email address and password for your Google account.

Unfortunately, this is a turbulent era. While you can currently add Google accounts, sync contacts and calendars with the People and Calendar app in Windows 8, Google will not provide Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support for free accounts. (Microsoft requires Google to pay a license fee for this service.)

Support for Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) will be discontinued on July 31, 2013. After this date, you will have to access the mail application in Gmail via IMAP. Unless Microsoft adds the CalDAV and CardDAV standards, support for these applications, contacts and calendars in the People and Calendar app will not be available.

Pin It

Google's web app can be combined with Windows 8's start screen and fixed features. You can pin shortcuts to websites such as Google Drive (formerly Google Docs) or Google Maps to the start screen, allowing you to access them with a single click.

To fix a website from the Chrome browser to the start screen, you must first open the Chrome browser menu, point to <;Tools>, select “Create Application Shortcuts”. Create a shortcut on your desktop. You can then right-click on the shortcut on the desktop and select “ Attach to 'Start”.

If you don't like the icon of a website expansion map, you can use OblyTile to create a better tile icon for any website or application.

But Windows RT, normally only allows desktop applications written by Microsoft.

You can also find some unofficial Google services, including Google Maps and Google Reader's unofficial app under the Windows Store. If you are looking for a new style of chat network such as Google Talk, you can search for the IM+ app under the Windows Store.