Introducing New Tab Widgets: A Highly Customizable Productivity Dashboard for Your Browser
Are you looking to enhance your browsing experience with a personalized and functional new tab page? I’m excited to share a project I’ve been developing over the past few years—an innovative Chrome extension designed to transform your new tab into a versatile productivity hub.
Transform Your Browser with a Customizable Dashboard
What started as a simple solution to control Philips Hue lighting from a new tab has evolved into a comprehensive, extensible dashboard tailored to your needs. Built for Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers, this extension offers a wide array of widgets and features to boost your productivity and convenience daily.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Custom Iframe Integration
- Target any element on a webpage using CSS selectors, allowing you to embed dynamic content.
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For example, I display GitHub issues and a Yahoo Finance stock ticker as dedicated widgets within my dashboard.
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Essential Productivity Tools
- Weather updates, clocks, and quick access to bookmarks and groups.
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Sticky notes for quick reminders and thoughts.
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Smart Home Integration
- Direct control over Philips Hue lights with scene, group, on/off, toggle, and color options.
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Use right-click menus for seamless scene switching and light management.
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Entertainment & Quick Launch
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Launch Steam games or applications directly from your new tab.
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Powerful Search Capabilities
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Multiple search engine support with local search history for quick retrieval.
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Calendar Synchronization
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Easily access your Google Calendar right from the new tab.
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Highly Customizable and Configurable
- Widgets can be JSON-configured to suit your preferences.
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Apply your own CSS styles for complete visual customization.
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Optional Welcome Screen
- Greet yourself with a personalized message every time you open a new tab.
Availability and Resources
This project, named New Tab Widgets, is currently available on the Chrome Web Store. It’s designed for users who want a tailored experience that seamlessly integrates their favorite tools and information in one place.
- Chrome Web Store Link: View Extension
- Official Website: newtabwidgets.com
Your Feedback Matters
As a developer, creating this extension was initially a personal project, but my hope is that

