Speed Dial extension offers a better new tab page for Google Chrome

One common complaint I've heard from people about Google Chrome is the lack of more/better options for the new tab page. Now that the Extension Gallery is open, of course, there should be plenty of mods available to solve the problem.
I've started using Speed Dial, which provides a more Opera-esque screen. You'll no longer be limited to two puny rows of four thumbnails -- Speed Dial supports combinations all the way up to 6 x 6. You can also select one of seven background colors and show or hide the Google search box via the options screen.
Want a little more visual sizzle? Drop in the URL of a favorite image and use it for your background. Local images aren't currently supported, but they're coming -- and you'll have the option as soon as the extension auto-updates.
To add pages, simple click the Speed Dial icon on your toolbar. The extension sets itself to be your new tab page by default, but you can also pull up your page from its icon.
Speed Dial can be found on this page at the Google Chrome Extensions Gallery.
I've started using Speed Dial, which provides a more Opera-esque screen. You'll no longer be limited to two puny rows of four thumbnails -- Speed Dial supports combinations all the way up to 6 x 6. You can also select one of seven background colors and show or hide the Google search box via the options screen.
Want a little more visual sizzle? Drop in the URL of a favorite image and use it for your background. Local images aren't currently supported, but they're coming -- and you'll have the option as soon as the extension auto-updates.
To add pages, simple click the Speed Dial icon on your toolbar. The extension sets itself to be your new tab page by default, but you can also pull up your page from its icon.
Speed Dial can be found on this page at the Google Chrome Extensions Gallery.












Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsjsmorleyDec 18th 2009 10:01AM
Oooh... SpeedDial was one of the few remaining "must have" addons that could allow me to give Chrome a real shot...
MattDec 18th 2009 11:18AM
Where can I get that Super Mario picture?
kalel90Dec 18th 2009 2:28PM
That was quick it just came out yesterday. Impressive. It still needs quite a bit of work though but the dev is taking feedback and slowly working on it.
techpopsDec 26th 2009 7:10PM
My favourite startup page is still symbaloo http://www.symbaloo.com it's been out a long time and I couldn't live without it. Easy to sum it up by saying its like having a giant iphone screen full of icons as your start page.
It's probably more suitable for people who don't mind taking the time to add their own iphone like graphics for each site they have in the grid but if you are that kind of person, it's just awesome.
I have pretty much every major site i visit on one page, all represented by beautiful icons and grouped together into eyepoppingly easy to read sections on the grid.
It's all drag too and most common sites already have a nice icon made. If they haven't already made an icon for your favourite site you can still assign a bunch they provide, so its not alienating people who can't handle making their own graphics.
I just wish you could remove the widge box in the middle of the screen but I guess that's where they make their money.
Eric MarshallJan 21st 2010 4:36AM
I've installed speed dial but I have no con in the address bar??