ChromeMUSE extension for Google Chrome makes short URLs easy

For quite some time we all wondered when developers would start rolling out Google Chrome extensions. It was pretty slow going at first, but things have started picking up lately -- possibly due to the imminent launch of the official Google Chrome Extensions Gallery.

Gallery or not, I'm happy to keep checking out what's new at ChromeExtensions.Org. Today's find is ChromeMUSE, which adds dead-simple link shortening (and expanding) to Google Chrome.

Install ChromeMUSE and you'll see a link icon appear at the end of the OmniBox. Click it, and the current URL is shortened and copied to your clipboard using one of 8 popular services. You can also enable expert mode which allows you to choose a service on the fly. API and user access for Bit.ly, Cligs, j.mp, and tr.im is fully supported as well, allowing you to keep your link tracking in order.

As an added bonus, ChromeMUSE can also expand shortened URLs by tapping into LongURL.org. It's an excellent way to make sure you know where a click is taking you.

The usual Chrome extension caveat applies: you need to be running the developer build -- at least for a few more days, anyhow.