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ExtensionFM is the first killer extension for Google Chrome OS (and it's not even here yet)
Now he's on his own, and he's got a new musical marvel to share: ExtensionFM. While using the extension inside Google Chrome is fun enough, it's easy to see just how cool it's going to be on the Google Chrome OS smartbooks and tablets that are due out later this year.
The concept behind ExntensionFM is a simple one: scan the webpages you browse for embedded MP3s and build a library of tunes inside your browser. You can also put together playlists, and the music will keep streaming in the background as you happily (or unhappily, depending on your modus operandi) surf the web.
ExtensionFM also provides listings of artists and albums in your library, and a list of the sites you've listened to -- which adds a whole 'nother layer of cool. Once you've grabbed a track from a particular site, ExtensionFM keeps tabs on it for you. We'll have more on this after the break, along with more screenshots and Dan's screencast!
Right now, I've got some 2 Skinnee Js queued up from Archive.org, with some SXSW tracks from Sam Roberts on deck. Play controls are always within reach -- just click the ExtensionFM button in your browser actions area.
Now, back to that 'subscription' thing...Sites in your library are set to auto-update by default -- which you can disable on a per-site basis if you prefer to update things manually. Right click and hit refresh to do a quick check for new tunes. You can also play or queue entire sites, or delete them if your tastes have changed.
I've played with ExtensionFM in Hexxeh's builds of Chromium OS -- created from the same source code as Google's upcoming Chrome OS. To me, there's no question that this will be an absolutely killer extension for your Chromebook (or tablet). It's an awesome, easy-to-use bridge between all the great, free music in the cloud and your lightweight browser OS.
Looking for more sites which are ExtensionFM-friendly? Check out the site of the day page on Dan's blog. It's updated frequently with loads of places to find tasty new tracks.
So what's next for ExtensionFM? I mentioned to Dan the possibility of using Chrome's bsync abilities to store your library in the cloud, and he said they've been pondering that already. Doing so would give you log-in-anywhere access to your music...Anywhere including, say, an Android handset -- where it wouldn't be a big stretch to tap into Google's APIs to give you music-on-the-go.
"We want exfm to be the only player you need," Dan told me. They're well on the way to achieving that goal: ExtensionFM is pure awesome.
Looking for more sites which are ExtensionFM-friendly? Check out the site of the day page on Dan's blog. It's updated frequently with loads of places to find tasty new tracks.
So what's next for ExtensionFM? I mentioned to Dan the possibility of using Chrome's bsync abilities to store your library in the cloud, and he said they've been pondering that already. Doing so would give you log-in-anywhere access to your music...Anywhere including, say, an Android handset -- where it wouldn't be a big stretch to tap into Google's APIs to give you music-on-the-go.
"We want exfm to be the only player you need," Dan told me. They're well on the way to achieving that goal: ExtensionFM is pure awesome.
Right now, ExtensionFM is in closed beta. If you want in on the action, head over to our Facebook page -- or share this post on Twitter and make sure you @downloadsquad!
Comments
4
Subscribe to commentsscottMar 19th 2010 1:16PM
If this saved streamed audio from radio sites, it would be great.
But your saying it just handles embedded audio. How common is that? How often is it that some site's background music track is something you need to save?
emmzeeMar 19th 2010 1:32PM
That's a cool idea and all ... and for someone using it at work at a job where they are using their web browser all day and where they don't have access to their own music ... or if you really wanted to stream songs on your phone ... I guess it might be useful ...
But in addition to what scott pointed out above ... I already have literally 1000's of legal songs on my computer. I can just use a media player application so I can listen to them even when I don't have my browser open. And since this app sounds like it constantly streams the songs from websites, this would waste a LOT of bandwidth; both my own personal bandwidth and that of the sites the songs are stored on.
Shaun McLaneMar 19th 2010 9:54PM
Well, I seem to be the only commenter so far that thinks this has major potential. Thing is - Nothing plays! It just keeps bouncing from song to song, trying to find one it can handle.
Dan KantorMar 20th 2010 3:46PM
@Shaun - are you using Chrome or Chromium? Songs don't play in Chromium b/c it does not have an mp3 decoder.