Your Chromebook is a safe, inexpensive, and simple portal to the internet but it can do so much more. Whether you want to get productive, have a little fun, or keep in touch you'll find an app to help do it in the Chrome Web Store or through a Progressive Web App (PWA). Here's the short — and ever-changing — list of ones we think you have to try.

Hunker down and get some work done

While RCS continues to roll out to more Android users, the rest of us are stuck using different platforms for keeping in touch with friends and family. There are plenty of messaging services to meet the needs of just about everyone, and there is a great selection of apps and PWAs that assist with keeping in contact. All-in-one : Multi Messenger Multi Messenger does just that; it gives you access to multiple messaging platforms all in one app. Think of something like Franz, but for your Chromebook. This app allows users to link platforms like Slack, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and more, all from one app. Free at Chrome Web Store For work or play : Slack Slack is one of the more popular messaging platforms, regardless of whether you're using it for work or your friends. You can create multiple channels based on multiple topics, along with the ability to have private conversations. With the Slack app, you can even go so far as to create customized emoji and have them show up when you're ribbing your buddies. Free at Chrome Web Store Messages everywhere : Telegram Messenger (PWA) Telegram has quickly grown in popularity, especially with the fall of Google's Hangouts and Allo messaging apps. Based on your cell phone number, Telegram syncs between all compatible devices, and you can even use it as a group messaging platform — that is, if you can convince your friends or family to switch messaging apps. Free at Telegram Catch up on the news that matters most

Nobody likes to just sit in front of a TV waiting for some new story to make its way across the tube. Plus, you have to wait through different coverage angles until the news piece that you care about arrives. With the plethora of "news" and RSS apps available, you'll never have to wait again — just refresh the page. News, your way : Feedly It's one thing to be able to view all of the news that happens on the day, but chances are, there are a few headlines that you don't care about. That's where Feedly comes in. This RSS reader gives you the ability to finetune and create your own personal newspaper. From the Feedly Chrome App, you can even quickly share some of your favorite articles across Facebook, Twitter, or even Evernote. Free at Chrome Web Store For the tech-minded : HackerNews (PWA) When Hacker News launched, it became a different type of community for like-minded tech enthusiasts. Since then, the service has exploded and is still one of the "go-to" sources for reading up-to-date news and headlines. With this PWA, you can quickly install it on your Chromebook giving you even quicker access to those headlines. Free at HackerNews Save it for later : Pocket As the day goes on and you're browsing Reddit, Twitter, or Facebook, you'll likely come across an article you'd like to read. Then you realize that your lunch break is up and you don't want to forget about it. That's where Pocket comes in. You can save articles, videos, and more to view at a later time, even if you don't have internet access. Free at Chrome Web Store Sit back and let the words flow