Pokki

Pokki is a free digital distribution platform and Windows Shell extension by SweetLabs, Inc. that alters the start menu to a look and feel like the second generation start menu used before Windows 8. The extension also adds additional functionality to the start menu including search, favorites, and popular applications.[1]

Pokki
Developer(s)SweetLabs Inc.
Operating systemWindows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
TypeDigital distribution
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.pokki.com

Pokki has been identified as adware by Malwaretips[2] and as "viruses and spyware" by Sophos AV.[3] It may be installed under other names such as Host App Service or "App Explorer".[4]

History

The program launched as a beta version in June 2011.[5][6][7] Pokki's framework is built on Chromium and allows developers to build desktop applications using standard web languages like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.[8]

In April 2012, Pokki launched the Pokki Store, a marketplace and app store for desktop apps for social networking services and social gaming apps.[9] The Pokki Store allows users to browse, search, and download applications in various categories. Applications are submitted by developers through the Pokki Developer Center.

In August 2012, Pokki exited beta, announced 1 million monthly active users, and released the Pokki Menu, an app launcher for access, management, and discovery of its apps, and a notification center for real-time updates.[10][11][12]

In October 2012, Pokki for Windows 8 was released which included functionality to restore the Windows start menu which was replaced in Windows 8 by the start screen.[13][14][15][16] As of January 2013, it had about 1.5 million users.[17]

References
  1. "Windows 8: Lenovo brings back Start menu, sidesteps Windows Store with Pokki". GeekWire. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
  2. "Remove "Start Menu Updated" pop-up virus (Removal Guide)". 4 February 2015.
  3. https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/viruses-and-spyware/Pokki.aspx
  4. "Host App Service Update Manager - High CPU Usage". 27 December 2017.
  5. Albro, Edward (28 June 2011). "Pokki Brings Smartphone-style Apps to Your Desktop". PC World. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  6. Cho, Eddie (30 June 2011). "Pokki: Serving the Web like bite-sized candy". CNET. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  7. Geron, Tomio (28 June 2011). "Pokki Brings Mobile-Style Apps To Desktop PCs". Forbes. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  8. Kincaid, Jason (30 June 2011). "OpenCandy's Pokki Brings Web Apps To The Desktop, With Style". TechCrunch. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  9. Alex, Wilhelm (17 April 2012). "Meet Pokki: Bringing the power of mobile apps to your desktop". The Next Web. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  10. Van Groove, Jennifer (30 August 2012). "Pokki exits beta, picks up 1M users, and sets out to prove that desktop apps can be cool, too". VentureBeat. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  11. Gallagher, Billy (30 August 2012). "Pokki Surpasses 1 Million Monthly Active Users, Releases Angry Birds, Pandora and Pinterest Desktop Apps". TechCrunch. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  12. Streams, Kimber (31 August 2012). "Must-have Windows widget app Pokki leaves beta, OS X version on the way". The Verge. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  13. Chang, Alexandra (16 October 2012). "Pokki Brings the Start Menu Back to Windows 8". Wired. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  14. Newman, Jared (16 October 2012). "Pokki Aims to Fix Windows 8 with Replacement Start Menu". TIME. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  15. Molt, Stephanie (16 October 2012). "Pokki Brings the Start Menu to Windows 8". PC Magazine. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  16. Whitney, Lance (17 October 2012). "How to restore the classic Start menu with Pokki for Windows 8". CNET. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  17. Yahoo! News, Jan. 16, 2013
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