Atti Abderrahim
Table of Contents
Is it bloatware? Is it crapware? No! It’s… Google Essentials! And not everyone is going to be thrilled about it.
With a mix of pride and emotion, Google has announced a significant partnership with HP. According to the company’s official blog, the web giant will preinstall a new application on all Windows 11 PCs sold by the manufacturer. Dubbed Google Essentials, this application will provide access to a variety of proprietary services some more relevant than others giving the Mountain View firm yet another showcase, as if they needed it.
Google Essentials :One App to Download Them All
Dissatisfied with the space it has on Chromebooks, Google has decided to push its way into our PCs. In essence, Google Essentials is a kind of store dedicated exclusively to Google apps and services. From Google Photos and Google Messages to Docs, Drive, and Calendar, and even including Google Play Games, the web giant intends to coexist with Windows applications on all HP computers. Every. Single. One. From consumer lines like Spectre and Envy to gaming lines like OMEN, Victus, and Pavilion. And the project doesn’t stop there Google plans to roll out Essentials on desktops and laptops from other brands in the coming months.
According to their announcement, the application will be pinned by default in the Start menu, promising users a smoother transition between their PC and Android devices. By logging into Essentials with a Google account, users will be able to sync content related to Google’s services on Windows. To sweeten the deal, Google has also announced a free two-month trial of Google One with 100GB storage for “eligible” subscribers.
Google’s Banner of Freedom
Magnanimous as ever, Google reminds users that they remain free to choose whether or not to participate in this initiative. “As always, we want to make sure you remain in control of your experience. You can uninstall any Google service or Google Essentials as a whole at any time,” reads the company’s blog. A somewhat ironic promise, considering that most preinstalled Google apps on Android can at best be disabled but not uninstalled without external help. So much for user control.
It’s also worth noting that Microsoft already offers tools that provide users with a bridge between their smartphones be it Android or iOS and their PCs, thanks to the Your Phone (desktop) and Link to Windows (mobile) applications. Additionally, Microsoft is currently working on developing a system-integrated feature that will allow Android users to access their mobile files remotely, directly from File Explorer, along with a solution for sharing files between smartphones and PCs in a manner similar to AirDrop.
