Chrome Toolbox adds quick launch hotkeys, tab tweaks, and more to Google Chrome

When you make the switch to Google Chrome from another browser, most keyboard shortcuts will probably be familiar (Ctrl+T for a new tab, for example). However, there are some minor differences between Chrome and other browsers that might fluster newly converted Chrome enthusiasts.

Chrome Toolbox is an add-on by Google that not only helps out with comparing (and learning) hotkeys, but adds a ton of other functionality as well. Here's a brief rundown of what it does:

• Floating image toolbar: Hover over an image, and get a floating toolbar letting you magnify it, view the original image, or set it as wallpaper. There's a floating toolbar for videos, too.
• Tab tweaks: Override Chrome's default to close the window when closing the last tab (so the window stays open). You can also double-click a tab to close it, and open links in new tabs.
• Form data: Save form fields so you don't have to refill them if the browser crashes. It doesn't auto-save though.
• Quick launch: Use Alt-1 thru Alt-9 to open all links from any given folder in the Bookmark Manager. Not just one link – a whole folder, each in its own tab. You can also redefine those hotkeys.
• Shortcut helper: This is the feature I started with. It lets you see a complete map of all Chrome keyboard shortcuts, compare them with a bunch of other browsers, and even add them to the extensions drop-down menu.
• Mute all tabs: That's an option in the add-on's drop-down menu, and I think all browsers should have it. You don't always know which tab all the noise is coming from, so now you can mute them all in one fell swoop.

There are more features (a boss key, for example), but if any of this sounds vaguely interesting – don't hesitate, just go ahead and install it! It's a great first extension for new Google Chrome users.

Tags: addons, browsers, chrome, extensions, google, google chrome, GoogleChrome