Pokki
{{Short description|Free digital distribution platform}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Pokki
| logo =
| screenshot = Pokki Start.jpg
| developer = SweetLabs Inc.
| operating system = Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
| genre = Digital distribution
| license = Freeware
| website = {{URL|http://www.pokki.com}}
}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2013-08-22 |title=Windows 8: Lenovo brings back Start menu, sidesteps Windows Store with Pokki |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2013/windows-8-lenovo-brings-start-menu-pokki-deal/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=GeekWire |language=en-US}}
Pokki has been identified as adware by Malwaretips{{Cite web|url=https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-start-menu-updated-popup/|title = Remove "Start Menu Updated" pop-up virus (Removal Guide)|date = 4 February 2015}} and as "viruses and spyware" by Sophos AV.{{cite web |url=https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/viruses-and-spyware/Pokki.aspx |title=Pokki - Viruses and Spyware - Advanced Network Threat Protection |website=sophos.com |access-date=2024-08-04}}
History
The program launched as a beta version in June 2011.{{cite web|last=Albro|first=Edward|date=28 June 2011|title=Pokki Brings Smartphone-style Apps to Your Desktop|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/231269/pokkidesktopapps.html|work=PC World|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite web|last=Cho|first=Eddie|date=30 June 2011|title=Pokki: Serving the Web like bite-sized candy|url=http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-20075585-12/pokki-serving-the-web-like-bite-sized-candy/|work=CNET|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite web|last=Geron|first=Tomio|date=28 June 2011|title=Pokki Brings Mobile-Style Apps To Desktop PCs|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2011/06/28/pokki-brings-mobile-style-apps-to-desktop-pcs/|work=Forbes|access-date=13 November 2012}} Pokki's framework is built on Chromium and allows developers to build desktop applications using standard web languages like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.{{cite web|last=Kincaid|first=Jason|date=30 June 2011|title=OpenCandy's Pokki Brings Web Apps To The Desktop, With Style|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/28/opencandys-pokki-brings-web-apps-to-the-desktop-with-style/|work=TechCrunch|access-date=13 November 2012}}
In April 2012, Pokki launched the Pokki Store, a marketplace and app store for desktop apps for social networking services and social gaming apps.{{cite web|last=Alex|first=Wilhelm|date=17 April 2012|title=Meet Pokki: Bringing the power of mobile apps to your desktop|url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/04/17/meet-pokki-bringing-the-power-of-mobile-apps-to-your-desktop/|work=The Next Web|access-date=13 November 2012}} 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.{{cite web|last=Van Groove|first=Jennifer|date=30 August 2012|title=Pokki exits beta, picks up 1M users, and sets out to prove that desktop apps can be cool, too|url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/08/30/pokki-exits-beta/#s:pokki-2-0-taskbar|work=VentureBeat|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Billy|date=30 August 2012|title=Pokki Surpasses 1 Million Monthly Active Users, Releases Angry Birds, Pandora and Pinterest Desktop Apps|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/30/pokki-surpasses-1-million-monthly-active-users-releases-angry-birds-pandora-and-pinterest-pc-desktop-apps/|work=TechCrunch|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite web|last=Streams|first=Kimber|date=31 August 2012|title=Must-have Windows widget app Pokki leaves beta, OS X version on the way|url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/8/31/3282299/pokki-windows-7-desktop-notifications-os-x|work=The Verge|access-date=13 November 2012}}
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.{{cite magazine|last=Chang|first=Alexandra|date=16 October 2012|title=Pokki Brings the Start Menu Back to Windows 8|url=https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/10/pokki-brings-the-start-menu-back-to-windows-8/|magazine=Wired|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite magazine|last=Newman|first=Jared|date=16 October 2012|title=Pokki Aims to Fix Windows 8 with Replacement Start Menu|url=https://techland.time.com/2012/10/16/pokki-windows-8-start-menu/|magazine=TIME|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite web|last=Molt|first=Stephanie|date=16 October 2012|title=Pokki Brings the Start Menu to Windows 8|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411042,00.asp|work=PC Magazine|access-date=13 November 2012}}{{cite web|last=Whitney|first=Lance|date=17 October 2012|title=How to restore the classic Start menu with Pokki for Windows 8|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57534343-292/how-to-restore-the-classic-start-menu-with-pokki-for-windows-8/|work=CNET|access-date=13 November 2012}} As of January 2013, it had about 1.5 million users.[https://news.yahoo.com/more-people-miss-old-windows-start-menu-microsoft-184541670.html Yahoo! News, Jan. 16, 2013]
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official|http://www.pokki.com/}}
{{Software distribution}}
{{Software digital distribution platforms}}