Google builds extensions for Chrome

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 15 May 2009 at 09:47

Google has introduced Firefox-style extensions into the developer builds of its Chrome browser.

The streamlined browser has, until now, sacrificed features for raw performance. However, the latest developer channel releases include APIs for third parties who wish to build extra features into Chrome.

To get the ball rolling, Google has released a smattering of sample extensions - all of which are plugging other Google services, naturally.

The first is a simple Gmail inbox checker that displays the number of unread messages in your inbox.

The second is a button that allows you to easily subscribe to a website's news feed in Google Reader.

The third and final sample shows the current status of the Chromium Build Bot, which reveals how the various revisions of the browser are progressing.

To take advantage of the extensions, Chrome users will first have to download the browser's Channel Changer and switch to the developer channel.

They'll then have to launch Chrome from the Command Line, adding -enable -extensions to the tail of the application path.

The complicated installation procedure clearly shows that Chrome extensions aren't ready for the mainstream, but it's yet another indication of Google's determination to make Chrome a serious rival to Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Earlier this week, the company launched its first ever television ads to promote the Chrome browser.