Introducing the New Tab Productivity Dashboard for Chrome: A Fully Customizable Widget Extension
Are you looking to transform your new tab page into a powerful productivity hub? After nearly four years of dedicated development, I’m excited to unveil a comprehensive Chrome extension designed to enhance your daily workflow and personalize your browsing experience.
Originally conceived to manage Philips Hue lighting directly from a new tab, this project has grown into a versatile, extensible dashboard packed with features tailored for productivity and convenience. Here’s a detailed overview of what’s possible with this extension:
Customizable Iframe Widgets
– Embed any webpage or element using CSS selectors
– Example: Display GitHub issues or real-time stock tickers as dedicated widgets
Essential Utility Widgets
– Weather forecasts, world clocks, and quick access to bookmarked links and groups
– Sticky notes for quick reminders and brainstorming
Smart Home Integration
– Full control over Philips Hue lighting scenes and groups
– Toggle lights on/off, change colors, or switch scenes seamlessly from your new tab menu
Entertainment Shortcuts
– Launch Steam games or applications directly from the dashboard
Advanced Search Features
– Multiple search engine options supported
– Local search history for quick access
Calendar Syncing
– Integration with Google Calendar for upcoming events and schedules
Highly Customizable Layout
– JSON-configurable widgets for tailored setups
– Apply custom CSS for a personalized appearance
– Optional welcome screen that appears on load
This project, named New Tab Widgets, is currently available for Chromium-based browsers via the Chrome Web Store. You can explore and install it here:
For more details and updates, visit the official website:
As a developer who built this for personal use, I’m eager to gather feedback from the community. Whether you’re interested in customizing your browsing environment or seeking tools to streamline daily tasks, I hope this extension proves valuable. Your insights and suggestions are most welcome—let’s shape this project together!
