Google launches virtual app delivery solution to close the legacy software gap

Google LLC today announced the launch of Cameyo by Google, a virtual app delivery solution that allows enterprise teams to access legacy client-based applications in web-based environments such as Chrome and ChromeOS.

Cameyo is a modern alternative to virtual desktop infrastructure, which streams only necessary applications, such as Windows and Linux apps, to any device. It works either in a browser or as progressive web apps to eliminate the overhead of virtual desktops.

Google acquired the technology when the company bought Cameyo Inc., the developer of the capability, in June 2024.

Using the platform, organizations can continue to use Windows-based clients even if they completely migrate to a different desktop environment. The solution allows companies to delivery legacy apps using what is called virtual app delivery, or VAD, that keeps apps synchronized across an organization to stay up to date wherever they are used.

This allows organizations to access critical legacy applications such as specialized enterprise resource planning software, Windows-only software such as AutoCAD, the desktop version of Excel, and use them side-by-side with web applications.

By combining Chrome Enterprise Premium with Cameyo, users get a fully secured enterprise-ready browser solution that brings both web-based apps and traditional clients to users wherever they are. Google said this is the only solution on the market that can secure both web and legacy client-based apps in a browser experience.

Chrome Enterprise provides a secure point to use apps, providing advanced threat detection, URL filtering and data loss prevention controls – such as copy/paste or printing protection. Cameyo brings legacy apps into this protected environment and unifies the workspace where all the controls affect every app equally.

Google said this solution would provide a more secure alternative to Windows for companies looking to migrate away from less secure desktop environments and open up the ability to serve desktops remotely. Organizations blocked from fully embracing software such as ChromeOS due to legacy needs can now have their apps delivered wherever they are.

“The beauty of Cameyo is its simplicity,” said Phil Paterson, head of cloud and infrastructure at Premier Technical Services Group Ltd. “It lets users access applications on any device with security built in, allowing us to reach any end user, on any device, without it ever touching our corporate systems or the complexity or overhead — no VPNs or firewall configurations needed.”

Bringing AI capabilities to legacy apps

Google recently announced Gemini in Chrome, the addition of an artificial intelligence assistant powered by Google’s flagship Gemini model, that can help users work more efficiently.

Gemini in Chrome can be used to quickly summarize documents, gather key information from videos or brainstorm ideas for a new project. Using Gemini, users can have it understand the context from multiple tabs and recall recent browsing activity.

With access to Gemini through Chrome and Cameyo can bring AI assistance to legacy applications. Now, instead of waiting for AI capabilities to come to older Windows or Linux applications, Gemini will be able to “see” and understand what’s being displayed on apps streamed through Cameyo and provide support.

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