Google launches Chrome app for its Keep service: Manage your notes, to-do lists, and photos even when offline

Google on Thursday announced the launch of a new offline Chrome app version of its Keep note-taking service. If you have Google Chrome installed, you can download the new app now directly from the Chrome Web Store.

The Google Keep Chrome app works without an Internet connection. It lets you create notes, cross out your to-do lists, and attach photos to tasks even when you’re offline, and then syncs everything up when you get back online.

When you first launch it, you’re presented with a sign-in screen:

Notice that the app is separate from Google Chrome. This is not an extension: it’s a completely standalone app that works even when you close your browser.

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Google launched Keep for the Web and Android 4.0+ (Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean) devices less than two months ago in March. The company described it at the time as a service that lets you “save ideas and organize to-dos the moment they happen by creating notes, lists, photos and voice recordings.”

Keep lets you access, edit, and create new notes on the Web, and you can also speak to it: the service transcribes voice memos for you automatically. It also features a search function so you can find the note you wrote, read it, and then either archive or delete it.

Google says it is trying to solve the problem of not having your notes and reminders wherever you are. We described it as an Evernote rival, though the competing service is currently much more powerful.

At launch time, Google revealed you’ll be able to access many of Keep’s features directly from your Google Drive account “in the coming weeks.” We also predicted an iOS version was likely in the works. We’re still waiting on both, but this new Chrome app is certainly a welcome addition.