Introducing New Tab Widgets: A Dynamic Productivity Dashboard for Modern Browsers

Are you on the lookout for a versatile and highly customizable new tab experience? I’m excited to share my latest project—a feature-rich Chrome extension designed to transform your browser’s new tab page into a powerful productivity hub.

Over the past four years, I’ve dedicated effort into developing a tool that not only improves daily efficiency but also offers extensive personalization options. Initially conceived as a means to control Philips Hue lighting directly from a new tab, this extension has grown into a comprehensive dashboard packed with useful widgets and innovative features.

Key Features of the New Tab Widgets Extension:

• Customizable Iframe Widgets:
  Easily embed any webpage by targeting a specific element using CSS selectors. For instance, I display GitHub issues from a repository and a Yahoo Finance stock ticker side by side, tailored to my needs.

• Essential Productivity Tools:
  Access weather updates, multiple clocks, organized bookmarks and groups, as well as sticky notes—all seamlessly integrated into your dashboard.

• Smart Philips Hue Integration:
  Control your smart lighting with scene and group widgets. Perform full on/off toggles, adjust colors, or switch scenes with simple right-click actions.

• Game and App Shortcuts:
  Launch Steam games or applications directly from your new tab for quick access.

• Robust Search Functionality:
  Supports multiple search engines and keeps a local history of your previous queries for efficient browsing.

• Calendar Synchronization:
  Integrate your Google Calendar to stay on top of your schedules.

• JSON-Configurable Widgets & Custom CSS:
  Fully personalize your dashboard’s appearance and functionality to suit your workflow.

• Optional Welcome Screen:
  A friendly introduction or setup page appears upon loading the extension.

This project, titled New Tab Widgets, is available now for Chromium-based browsers via the Chrome Web Store. I invite you to explore it and share your thoughts—whether you’re a developer or a regular user, your feedback is invaluable.

Check it out here:
Chrome Web Store Link

Visit the official website:
https://newtabwidgets.com

As someone who built this primarily for personal use, I am eager to see how others can leverage these tools for their own productivity. Your input