Extensions Can Now Sit In Google Chrome’s Toolbar

By , Published October 22, 2009

The latest update to Google Chrome on Linux finally brings extension heaven for users unhappy with the way in which €œnotifying€ extensions were layed out.


My two previous posts on Chrome – 15 Must Have Extensions for Google Chrome and Why Google Chrome should be your default browser – both generated lots of positive feedback from users of Chrome.

One thing recurring negative was the ‘dislike’ for the way in which extensions that update you or provide €œactions€ were displayed along the bottom status bar: -

Windows users are able to hit a keyboard shortcut and ‘hide’ them, Linux users however were stuck with the choice of either having them on show or not having them at all.

Extension-rama!
Thankfully today saw an update to the Chrome dev channel for Linux which provides the option for some extension maker to have their €œaction buttons€ sitting, instead, on your "tool bar". (See top screenshot.) Obviously only extensions that choose to take advantage of this will actually sit there.

Untitled-1How extensions will behave in the toolstrip

This is much more preferable in my opinion – providing you don’t end up with an entire row of icons taking up space!

Currently in the Windows dev build hiding the extensions tool-strip on the bottom results in only seeing those extensions extensions when on a new tab page. It looks gorgeous and i think a lot of people will be keen to install extensions when this finally arrives in Linux.

Capture

Download
Links
Dev channel (for 32-bit systems): google-chrome-unstable_current_i386.deb
Dev channel (for 64-bit systems): google-chrome-unstable_current_amd64.deb

Note
Installing Chrome automatically adds Google’s repo to your system for updates. If you don’t want to stay up-to-date with Chrome you can opt out by issuing: -

  • sudo touch /etc/default/google-chrome

before installing the .deb.

Article originally appeared on omgubuntu.co.uk

Related posts:

  1. The Face Of Google ChromeOS?
  2. 15 Useful Extensions For Google Chrome: Adblockers, flashblockers, session savers, mail notifiers, delicious, etc
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  • Anonymous

    “Google-Chrome-Unstable doesn’t offer updates for those using Karmic. Odd, but dems da facts. ”

    i use karmic and i get updates without having to redownload the .deb…

    • http://omgubuntu.co.uk/ d0od

      I’ve edited that out, thanks.

      Can i ask which architecture you use? I based my comment on the fact neither I nor several people i know get updates – but we all use x64bit…

      • Anonymous

        i am on 64bit :)i am sure i get updates because less than 20 minutes before i checked this post through the feed , i updated chrome :) (and i am not using chromium, just the regular google chrome, if that is the next question (at least it is the one that i would get to ask) )

  • Martini1179

    “This is much more preferable in my open – providing you don’t end up with a row of icons taking up space.”

    So what you’re implying is that each extension now has the option of having its own icon on the Chrome taskbar?

    If that’s true, then it’s a pretty dumb move by Google. A single, universal extension taskbar button would make oodles more sense.

    • http://omgubuntu.co.uk/ d0od

      You didn’t read the entire piece sir, i said that only some extensions will choose to take advantage of this. It makes sense for a lot of extensions to sit on the status bar, which btw, in Windows can be hidden and THUS only shows you your extensions when you go to a new tab page. They ‘float’ at the bottom under the speed dial. It looks very swish!

      Also remember that not every extension needs nor has a “icon” presence anywhere in chrome. Only those that require being seen or acted on should use and icon. (and only most do).

      If all extensions that currently have icons (like those that show you un-read e-mails or give you a “stumbleupon” button) were shoved into a menu it would kind of default the point in having them non?

  • http://seifsallam.co.cc/ Seif Sallam

    check this website http://www.chromeextensions.org there are some interesting extensions like gmail checker, its better than the current one

  • http://twitter.com/pryt pieterjan rynwalt

    I wish there was a noobish way to sync bookmarks over computers :(

  • http://twitter.com/kingfishr Caleb Spare

    I haven’t been able to get this button to work for any of the extensions I’ve tried. For example, the latest versions of Adblock+ and XMarks for chrome both use a toolbar button, but clicking it doesn’t seem to do anything. (I’m using the latest 64-bit build on karmic: 4.0.223.11)

    • http://omgubuntu.co.uk/ d0od

      I’ve noticed this too (much to my annoyance with xmarks!). Clicking on toolbar extensions WAS working an update or two previously but not now, i assume it’ll be fixed in the next update as it’s working fine in chromium currently.