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Back in 2010, Google launched the Google Apps Marketplace, an online store to feature various applications that were based off the Google APIs or the Google Apps Script. A wide range of applications can be featured and installed for free or through a fee but most noteworthy, a number of third-party applications are featured within the marketplace. However, before the overhaul of the Google Apps Marketplace, some of these applications were having a tough time being featured and noticed by consumers. This was one factor Google was hoping to change through the overhaul while also giving the overall marketplace a nice look and theme.
According to Google, the Google Apps Marketplace will make finding third-party applications easier than ever with the homepage being able to not only feature the most popular applications but new applications that have just launched on the marketplace. For instance, the most popular applications right now include Boomerang for Gmail, Form Publisher and Mindomo. However, within the same page we’re able to see a plethora of new arrivals that has hit the website. From what we can tell so far, none of the applications has actually changed so simply searching for applications that you previously haven’t installed on your PC yet should still show up within the results. Ideally, the changes are simply to make finding new applications easier along with helping third-party apps seek some of the limelight.
For users who are looking to narrow down the applications available within the marketplace, there is a navigation bar located towards the top which breaks up the marketplace in categories. Take for example productivity, when a user selects this category then the marketplace will feature only applications available that will help in areas such as creative tools, web development, task management, among other subcategories. The exact same could be said for the other main categories available which includes business tools, education, communication, and lastly utilities. Google does make mention that if an administration has disabled the option to download third-party applications then employees will still be prevented from installing these apps under the new marketplace. In order to adjust that option, the administrator will have to go through Apps, Marketplace Apps, and lastly Settings for Marketplace apps.