Software News Daily » chrome browser

Chrome Extensions Finally Stable

Lansia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:31:10 +0000

Google has finally brought extensions out of beta and stabilized them for the newly released update of Chrome. Bookmark syncing is packaged in there as well — automatically synchronize your Chrome bookmarks on different computers. Keep in mind that this update only applies to the Windows version of the web browser. No word yet on when Mac and Linux versions will release these same (stable channel) updates…

After news of the official release filtered through my Google Reader feeds, I pulled up the Chrome extensions gallery and started browsing through. There are currently just over 1,800 extensions available for Chrome; I probably surfed through half of them, if that… Since I’m not the true techie geek that I should be, I can’t say that I was super excited about too many. Here are the few that appealed to my simple and practical tastes. I’d say most of them contribute to an easier blogging experience or everyday web surfing…

CoolIris
I use this app on Firefox and love it. It’s a great, flashy way of looking for images. It’s fast, efficient -much better than browsing page after page on Google Images or Facebook!

Wikipedia Chromium Edition
Fantastic for those that Wiki often. Just search Wikipedia right within the webpage you are viewing.

Google Voice
Make a phone call from within your browser using Google Voice. Also gives you a quick display of your Google Voice inbox and what not.

Google Dictionary
Look up definitions with a simple double-click.

AniWeather
Animated weather, because I like cartoons. And I need to know upcoming weather to plan for my motorcyclin’.

Lazarus Form Recovery
Recovers what you’ve filled out on a form after one of those “oh $*#@” moment happens. Be forewarned, this extension is still in beta…

Add to Amazon Wish List
Perfect for the online shopaholic who can never keep track of what to buy next (yep, that’s me…)!

Which extensions have you tried out? Which do you recommend? Share your experiences by hitting that comment link!

Another Freebie from Google

Lansia — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:40:59 +0000

More proof of Google’s eventual world domination: Google now has its own URL shortener. Released with the newest version of Google Toolbar, “http://goo.gl” type addresses are now available. Read more about it at Google’s blog. Although a free service (through Google Toolbar or Feedburner), this isn’t the freebie I wanted to mention.

Still spirited by the holidays, Google is wrapping presents for you to freely gift away. Just visit Google’s Chrome for Christmas site to personalize the budding browser with your choice of gift wrap and your own greeting. Send each individual a different personalization or save time by sending a generic one to everyone.

Granted, Google Chrome is already free… But the added wrapping paper and greeting specially catered to the recipient – that surely rings in the holiday spirit, doesn’t it? What better way to economically gift away? No postage. Free. Brand name product. Personalized. Useful and practical.

Reasons Towards Google’s Eventual World Domination

Lansia — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:57:04 +0000

Google has been in the news a lot lately… new technologies, new innovations, new products… It’s all about Google. And that is why I think they are eventually going to take over the world. Well, the technological world, at least… Here are a few recent “waves” (no pun intended) Google has been making:

Google Introduces Real-Time Search Results: If we aren’t overwhelmed enough, Google now has a way to search real-time results. Real-time search brings instant results from stuff that is happens on the web – blogs being posted, live tweets, news articles and web pages being published all streaming to the search engine. Read more from ZDNet or watch the video demonstration.

Google’s Local Business Directory: Sending out QR code window stickers to popular businesses, Google is hoping to build their local business directory. See the SND blog about Building Better Local Businesses with Google Bar Codes.

Google Goggles: Search the web using a picture. Google Goggles, an app for Andriod, searches the web based on a photo you’ve taken with your phone. The application scans data from the photo and translates the material into a web search. Perfect for those “words cannot describe” moments. Read more from TechCrunch about the product.

Google Chrome: This up and coming browser is now available for Mac! Coming third amongst popular browsers, Google’s product is rising quickly. See the SND blog about the Google Chrome Switch: On or Off.

Google Chromium OS: This highly anticipated operating system is open-source and meant to be fast and easy to operate. It’s not yet available officially (looking at a slated 2010 arrival), but you can already play with it. See the SND blog about Google Chrome OS: Light Recap of the Update from Mountain View. Also see the SND blog of Google Chrome OS Out Now (Sort of).

Google Wave: An online communication tool that combines email, instant messaging and all your social networks was an exclusive club that has just opened up to more users. Google describes a “wave” as “both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.” See the really long video demonstration.

Google Public DNS: Google now has a free, global domain name service. Read about what it means to you in this TechCrunch article.

Have I proved my case, at least slightly?

Make It Mine: Adding a Personal Touch to Google Chrome

Lansia — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:13:05 +0000

It’s always the little things that count. Isn’t that what they say? Everything is more exciting when you can make it your own. The same rings true with your computer. It’s why we change the wallpaper on our desktop to reflect our personality or interests. It’s why Windows Media Player and Winamp have skins to customize the look of media player. It’s why Amazon shows a list of recommended products when you sign into your account.

So when I curiously clicked the right bottom corner of the new tab I just opened, why didn’t I realize it was a way to make this Google Chrome browser my own? I saw the videos. I read the blogs, browsed the comic. I just never really put any thought into personalizing my web browser. Chrome makes it fairly easy though. Access themes from your settings menu or the site. There aren’t a heap of options to pick from but there are plenty of quality themes at the Google Theme site. My only gripe is the non-ability to toggle from theme to theme after downloading multiple options. At least, there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to do this…

From designers [Kate Spade, Marc Ecko, Kid Robot, Charlotte Ronson, Todd Oldham, etc.] to musicians, writers and artists [Mariah Carey, Gossip, Dale Chihuly, Wes Craven, etc.], the themes available for Chrome are top-notch. Each of them seemingly sleek and fairly easy on the eyes. Google also has a number of themes that are more low key. I settled on the Mariah theme (yes, I proudly admit that I’m a huge Mariah fan), but here are also a few other favorites…

The Google Chrome Switch: On or Off?

Lansia — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:29 +0000

Google’s (just over a) year-old browser, Chrome, is gaining ground. Hitting 30 million users and still growing, Chrome trails behind Apple’s Safari browser for the #3 spot. The top two spots are still dominated by Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (holding 64.64% of the market share) and Mozilla’s Firefox (at 330 million users or 24.07% of the market share), but Chrome is amped and streaking past the competition.

Google’s Chrome had the largest gain in the browser market share from September 2009 to October based on the statistics from Net Applications. Chrome rose from 3.2 percent to 3.6 percent in the market share while falling just behind came Firefox with a .3 percent gain. On the other side of the road, Internet Explorer dropped from 65.7 percent to 64.6 percent. Although the differences may seem small, they represent millions of users. By using Firefox figures in comparison, imagine the numbers when only 24 percent of the market share approximates to a number of users greater than the population of the United States…

I got curious from reading all this hype. So, I started by visiting the Chrome web site. I read through it’s features (speed, simplicity, style) and read about why it was developed (a browser started from scratch to cater to the needs of the modern Internet surfer). For a little while, I even tried to read up on the technology via the Chrome Comic but my attention span fell short after a few pages and I ended up astray at Chrome Experiments. Regaining focus, I eventually clicked back to Chrome and started the installation process.

After a short while of browsing and testing, I’ve got to say that I do like the Chrome browser. I followed the pack and switched to Firefox (from Internet Explorer) a couple of years ago. It’s been a good choice for me, but I’m seriously thinking about going Chrome now. The difference in speed is obvious. Chrome starts up much quicker and loads web pages faster. I almost feel as if my computer has gotten lighter. The browser has a clean, simple interface, and it’s also easy to use which makes the switch very inviting…

But… is it worth all the hassle? There’s probably a reason why IE has been the reigning champion when it comes to browsers; it’s typically packaged with your computer. Most people might just not care what medium they use to get online, as long as they are online. Then again, looks like Google might already be walking down that path.

I’m going to hang on to Chrome and keep trying it out. True to my indecisive nature, my mind hasn’t been made up. Do you have any insight? Have you made the switch or decided against the switch? Share your thoughts and help me with my decision!

The New Google-Possesed Internet Explorer

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:25:20 +0000

A friend of mine said to me recently that IE is the worst thing to happen to us since the Great Depression. “Really?” I asked. “Unemployment? Homelessness? Starvation?”
“Well, in terms of the computer world, yes.” He answered.

Google has apparently heard his cry, and answered with Google Chrome Frame, a new plug-in for IE that means to patch up, soothe, encourage, and give a friendly boost to the less able-footed browser. Never has a plug-in been so condescending.

According to Computerworld, Internet Explorer 8 runs a whopping 9.6 times faster with the new plug-in. That’s insane.

The add-on is less like a plug-in, and more like a super-intelligent alien parasite that takes over its host’s brain while leaving outsiders unaware. Google Chrome Frame basically works by rendering webpages inside of IE, doing all the hard work like JavaScript and HTML 5 that Microsoft seems to have not ever known about.

Needless to say, Microsoft is less than thrilled about Google’s smart-alecky innovation. The more seasoned of the two computer companies was even moved to express personal familial concern, saying “Given the security issues with plug-ins in general and Google Chrome in particular, Google Chrome Frame running as a plug-in has doubled the attach area for malware and malicious scripts. This is not a risk we would recommend our friends and families take.”
Why would Google do such a thing? The problem is that IE, as the most clunky and popular of browsers, basically bottle necks internet’s capacity for evolution. It’s like, the ambitious land-longing fish of the web keeps crawling out on land, and then comes along IE, every damn time, and kicks it back in. Google’s own browser, Chrome, doesn’t help things much, since only about 3 percent of Internet users have it. Now, however, IE is basically replaced from within. Web developers won’t have to sell visitors on a new browser before they view their site now, they now only face the much simpler task of pushing a pesky, but necessary plug-in download, something most people are reluctant but willing to do to see cool stuff on the internet (eg Flash.)
In response to Microsoft’s complaints, Google said “Accessing sites using Google Chrome Frame brings Google Chrome’s security features to Internet Explorer users, providing strong phishing and malware protection (absent in IE6), robust sandboxing technology, and defenses from emerging online threats that are available in days rather than months.”

Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts for Google Chrome

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:17:34 +0000

Chrome is just like everything else google — pretty to look at and freaking fast. Some things are still awkward, bookmarking for one, and there has been complaining about its javascript limitations; still for an out of the gate browser, it’s more than impressive. But by now you’ve probably tested it out for yourself. And if you liked it enough to keep it up, here are a few fun things to try out and some good stuff to remember.

1. Chrome’s task manager: Chrome has its own task manager: press Shift+Escape to display a list of all the websites currently open. Useful to show you which tabs are slowing everything down.

2. Adding shortcuts to the Desktop, Start menu, or Quick launch bar: This has never been so easy. In any open site, just select ‘”create application shortcut” from the file menu.

3. Undo close!: Ctrl+shift+T: Opens your most recently closed tab. Basically works as an “undo close” for those of us who are constantly closing tabs by mistake.

4. Browsing History: Ctrl+H

5. Link in new tab: Press Ctrl and click a link to open the link in a new tab.

6. Link in new window: Press Shirt and click a link to open the link in a new window.

7. Quick browsing through tabs: Holding down Ctrl and pusing 1 through 9, will select the tab with the corresponding position in the tab strip. You’ll be surprised at how much faster this will make browsing.

8. Some stuff to type into the the address bar

First type “about:internets” into your address bar. See what happens.
Type “about:network” – gives you a list of images, scripts and objects, on a page. Helpful when something doesn’t load right.
Type “about:stats”: because looking at statistics is always fun, right?
Type: “about: memory” – If you are like most of us, using different browsers for different things, you can compare IE, Mozilla, Chrome, or Safari here.

Firefox 3.2 Design Concepts – iTunes Style Layout

Kevin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:53:38 +0000

I recently came across a blog post by Oliver Reichenstein of Mozilla about some possible design changes to the next version Firefox. Specifically, he talks about getting rid of tabs, or minimizing the way in which we currently use tabs to keep track of our different browser windows. Here is a mock-up screen shot of his new vision for Firefox:

Now, this screenshot at first glance appears very similar to what you see in Google Chrome right now. However, Oliver emphasis the point that the new Firefox will not simply offer thumbnail shots of recently viewed pages. Their goal is to structure the browser as a multi-media file system, similar to iTunes.

This new structure would group websites using predefined folders. It could also include “surf lists” for keeping track of websites you plan to visit in the immediate future. Most of us currently handle this task by opening interesting links in new tabs and then working down the tab row until we’ve read through everything. This process works well most of the time, but it also can get out of hand when you have 10+ tabs open and you are trying to keep everything straight in your head as you browse. It can tap out your brain’s RAM in a hurry.

This next version of Firefox would still allow you to create new tabs for cleaning up your immediate browsing, but its main goal would be to provide a better way for you to access your favorite sites and group similar sites automatically.

Mozilla is tossing around quite a few new ideas for the next version of Firefox, as shown in Aza Raskin’s blog (also of Mozilla). I really like his idea of an “auto-hide” feature for the new sidebar containing all of your organizational folders. horizontal real estate is very valuable in a browser window.

For those of you that can’t wait to have a sidebar in Firefox for keeping track of 20+ tabs, check out the Tree Style Tab plugin by Shimoda Hiroshi. This slick plugin organizes all of your tabs with collapsible trees to keep everything organized and easy to find.

As internet browsers handle more and more of our computing tasks, from email to document creation to gaming, their format will constantly evolve to handle the new ways we browse. I always like taking a peak into the develpment process of new technologies. What do you think? What are some features you would like to see in the next version of Firefox?