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You may notice New Tab Redirect 3.0 requires additional permissions. In addition to the previous tabs and storage permissions, it now requires "topSites", "management", "bookmarks", and "chrome://favicon/". In accordance with Chrome's recent extension constraints, I've had to provide a single visible UI for the user. This visible UI is a customized APPs page that includes functionality similar to the New Tab Page that was changed in Chrome 33. This is a feature that I've received many emails about. Using the New Tab Redirect Apps page, you also gain focus of the address bar and immediate search capabilities (another feature users wanted with the chrome://apps redirect). Now, the extension has a single visible UI and maintains it's one focus (allowing the user to dynamically define a page to load in the new tab). While the extra permissions aren't required for, say, redirecting to Facebook, they're still required for the default visible UI that you still have an option to override.
Here are screenshots of the newly added New Tab Page: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3yxfmbm5dpuw747/INZW44gbA3#/
Many users have expressed nothing but annoyance and hatred for the new permissions. Some have gone as far as to call me a 'thief' and suggest that I work for the NSA. This is all just ridiculous. This extension is fully open source and this wiki explains exactly how to inspect the code on all operating systems. I'm 100% open to emails if people have questions.
The added permissions are:
- topSites: Read and modify your browsing history
- management: Manage your apps, extensions, and themes
- bookmarks: Read and modify your bookmarks
- "chrome://favicon": (causes no warnings)
And the original permissions are:
- tabs: Access your tabs and browsing activity
- storage (causes no warnings)
The reason why the backlash for these permissions is ridiculous is that (with a persistent background page) any extension to which you've given the 'tabs' permission can do EVERYTHING ELSE the new permissions claim except for apps management and the 'modify' on history and bookmarks. Chrome doesn't offer extension developers the ability to request read-only permissions, which is really silly.
If you don't believe that the new functionality isn't doing anything suspicious, you can look at the wrapper code that accesses everything on the chrome. interface.
In fact, if you're not using the New Tab Apps page, none of that code ever gets executed. The New Tab Apps page is written in AngularJS and only when you have no URL saved does it resume the bootstrap process of the custom new tab apps page. This means none of the bookmarks/topsites/apps code will execute if you've specified a URL.
If you're still wondering exactly what is going on in the background of the Apps page, you can hit CTRL+SHIFT+J or go to Tools -> Developer Tools while on the Apps page and manually inspect all code and network activity. I have absolutely nothing to hide from anyone here. If you want a one-on-one introduction to the code or to investigating the apps page using the built-in developer tools, just email me and we can do a Hangouts session or something.
Sorry to hear that, but I fully understand. I once had a favorite extension that enabled Google Cloud Print before it was integrated into the browser. That extension had access to every visited page, and the developer added some third-party JavaScript that delivered my browser activity to 'suggest ads or coupons'. That's not something I opted into. Unfortunately, there's no way to 'opt-in' to providing a clear, understandable functionality like giving you a new tab page when the extension overrides a new tab.
You can disable New Tab Redirect 3.0 and manually install version 2.2. Here's how:
- Download the old version https://github.com/jimschubert/NewTab-Redirect/archive/v2.2.zip
- Unzip that file to some directory (whatever you chose)
- Go to
chrome://extensionsand check developer mode - Click
load unpackaged extension...and select the extracted contents
Chrome will consider this a completely different extension, so your synced URL won't sync any longer. Also, if you manually install on another machine, the URL will no longer sync between machines.
I won't be maintaining version 2.2. I'm sorry to see users leave because of the extra permissions, but like I said I completely understand. I'm 100% trustworthy and will continue to reject offers to purchase the extension or enter into some 'relationship' with anyone regarding the extension (of which I've had nearly 100 total)... but you don't know me and don't need to enable permissions you're not comfortable with. That's smart browsing and totally the write mindset to have on the internet.
That's cool. Some people are really tight on the permissions they release to extensions, so I get it.
I just ask that you don't insult me and accuse me of things I have not done. I'm a person, not a company. I've released a piece of software for free and regularly turned down offers to purchase the extension or queries by companies to collect data. I'll never sell the extension or include someone else's code because I wrote it for myself, and I use it daily. Why would I want someone collecting my data? The extension is tied to my personal gmail address and is included on my personal resume. Why would I want to do anything shady in something I use to represent myself to current and future employers? That's ridiculous. My software development experience and online dignity are worth more than any money an external entity could possibly offer me. When someone offered me $50,000 to purchase the extension and I immediately turned it down without consideration, my wife thought I was crazy.
Yes, other developers sneak third-party code into extensions to collect data. That's the whole reason Google has decided to lock down extensions to doing one thing. My extension does one thing: it provides a configurable location to load in your New Tab page. In version 2.2 it didn't provide a default and this was very confusing to many users. In fact, leaving the functionality as it was in version 2.2 according to Chrome's recent extension constraints would have flagged New Tab Redirect as an extension whose functionality is not clear to the average user.
The functionality in New Tab Redirect 3.0 is clear functionality that will allow me to gain back the 10-15 hours per week of responding to emails that I received for version 2.2 because its functionality wasn't fully clear to many users. My wife and I had a son on 11/12/13, so I would really like to have that extra time to spend with my son.
There are a few questions which people regularly ask. This is probably the best place to find an answer.
I've also started compiling a list of questions users have asked and I answer directly here.
New! I've added a new page for user-submitted videos. Check it out!
"Why doesn't the URL Focus/Highlight?"
Once installed from Chrome Web Store, New Tab Redirect can be found:
Linux:
~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Extensions/icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna/
Windows:
C:\Users\**username**\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna\
Mac:
Macintosh HD\Users\**username**\Library\Application Support\Google\Chrome\Default\Extensions\icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna\
Where **username** is the name of your computer's login/username. Within this directory are installed versions. For example, v2.2 will be in a folder named 2.2. All source from this repository is located under this directory.
In the top-right of your Google Chrome browser, click the Wrench icon, then select Tools -> Extensions. A new tab will appear. Alternatively, you can type chrome://extensions/ into the address bar.
Scroll down to New Tab Redirect! and click Options.
Alternatively, you can navigate directly to the options page: chrome-extension://icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna/options.html This is where Chrome takes you when you click the Options link, as defined in manifest.json
In the top-right of your Google Chrome browser, click the Wrench icon, then select Tools -> Extensions. A new tab will appear. Alternatively, you can type chrome://extensions/ into the address bar.
Scroll down to New Tab Redirect! and click Uninstall.
For security reasons, Google Chrome does not allow extensions to access certain parts of the browser. This has nothing to do with New Tab Redirect, and has everything to do with Chrome itself.
It is possible to create a static new tab page (i.e. a local or hosted page which can't be changed). In this case, the new tab will gain focus because this is handled internally in the browser. Because New Tab Redirect allows the user to dynamically change and load a customized URL, which is done after the browser would focus the address bar, this functionality is lost. Unfortunately, this the only way to have a customized new tab page which can be easily modified by the user.
If you'd like to create your own static new tab page, you can download one of the samples from http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/samples.html and modify it to meet your needs.
There is an experimental API for interaction with the omnibar. However, this interaction is currently little more than watching the omnibar for changes. It does not allow an extension to modify the bar in anyway. If/when this functionality is available, I will implement it as soon as possible.
For those who want a quick and dirty way to highlight the address bar, do as I do and click CTRL+L. This will highlight the omnibar and is only difficult if you don't regularly type with both hands on home row.
Accessing the options page can be done as with any other extension.
Steps can be found here: http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=187443
If you still have trouble finding the options page, you may copy/paste one of the following links into your address bar and hit ENTER:
- All extensions: chrome://extensions/
- New Tab Redirect options: chrome-extension://icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna/options.html
However, I recommend becoming familiar with accessing the options pages for extensions you decide to install. Although the Chrome team has done a fairly good job of designing an extension system which provides a great deal of security, there are still extension out there which can track and maintain your personal information without your consent. This, of course, violates the terms which all developers must accept before submitting an extension to the gallery, but that doesn't stop certain people from breaking the rules. Gaining the trust of users is one reason why I've hosted the code for the extension.
This is a question I've only received once so it doesn't exactly fit the "Frequently Asked" requirement to make this page. I think this is very important for everyone to know, so I'm including it anyway.
To edit the extension's source code (e.g. options.js), the locations are:
Linux:
~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Extensions/icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna/1.0.0.38_0/options.js
Windows:
C:\Users\**username**\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna\1.0.0.38_0\options.js
Mac:
Macintosh HD\Users\**username**\Library\Application Support\Google\Chrome\Default\Extensions\icpgjfneehieebagbmdbhnlpiopdcmna\1.0.0.38\options.js
Of course, you would need to modify "1.0.0.38" with whatever version you have installed. Also, different versions of Chrome may maintain the version numbers differently. Once you are in the folder which begins with "icp..." you should be able to enter the folder with the highest version number to make any local changes.
This extension was written before the Google Web Store was launched, so losing the original new tab page wasn't a big problem. You may notice that once you replace your new tab page, there's not really a way to access your apps any longer. One solution is to bookmark the original new tab page and use that bookmark when you need to access your apps. (The thought being you use your new tab more often than apps)
Mike Sheppard writes:
Helpful Tip: Any apps you install are shown on the original Google New Tab page. New Tab Redirect takes over that function and it’s then difficult to get to your apps. SOLUTION: Before installing New Tab Redirect, click + for a new tab; click the star at right end of omnibar (address bar) to create a bookmark. Right click this New Tab bookmark and choose Edit.
Put in whatever name you want (I chose Google New Tab) and for URL enter “chrome-internal://newtab/” without the quote marks. NOW install New Tab Redirect.
When you click the + for a new tab, you get your chosen page. If you click “Google New Tab”, you get the page with Apps, Web Store, Most Visited, etc.
Simple.
This isn't a 'Hotkey' like CTRL+E, I just couldn't think of another word for misusing a search engine shortcut
Before Google Chrome existed, I used Firefox. I loved the ability to add shortcut keys to bookmarks. You can do this to add a shortcut to your original new tab page:
- Click [Wrench] -> Preferences
- Select the Basic tab
- Click Manage Search Engines
- In the box labeled Add a new search engine, type
NewTab - In the box labeled Keyword, type
apps - In the box labeled Url with %s in place of query, type
chrome-internal://newtab
Here is what you should see:
Be warned, adding too many shortcuts this way will prevent you from being able to type that single word into the address bar to perform a search. You may never need to search for the single term 'apps', but if you find that you've created a term that opens a shortcut, Chrome has an internal query term: ?. To use this to query 'apps', for example, you would type into the search bar: ? apps and hit enter.
Now, you can have your new tab be whatever page you want, and whenever you want to access the original New Tab Page for apps, you just type apps in the address bar and hit enter.
Some users want non-redirect functionality. The way this extension is intended to work is to allow everyday Chrome users to define a new URL they want to load in a new tab. It does this by loading redirect.html, loading the saved URL from local/sync storage, then redirecting to that page. Sometimes, this HTML redirect can cause issues. For example, if a user wants only a blank page, a redirect to about:blank will cause the address bar to lose focus or focus and typing appends to the end of 'about:blank'.
I've added two example new tab replacement extensions. These can be enabled in one of two ways.
These instructions are for the empty example. Follow the same directions for redirect, updating filenames below accordingly.
- Create a directory under your user's Documents directory called
empty. (We'll refer to this asDocuments/empty) - Save empty.html as
Documents/empty/empty.html. - Save manifest.txt as
Documents/empty/manifest.json(note: saved filename ends in .json, not .txt) - Navigate to
chrome://extensions - Check 'Developer mode' if it is not checked
- Click 'Load Unpacked Extension'
- Select
Documents/emptydirectory
Once loaded, every new tab page will be an empty white page. If you have other extensions enabled which override the new tab page (like New Tab Redirect), you should disable those extensions.
If you have New Tab Redirect installed (v2.2 or higher), you can point to these files directly. Refer to the locations at the top of this page for your operating system. I'll refer to the New Tab Redirect location as [NTR].
- Navigate to
[NTR]\examples\empty - Rename
manifest.txtto manifest.json` - Navigate to
chrome://extensions - Check 'Developer mode' if it is not checked
- Click 'Load Unpacked Extension'
- Select
[NTR]\examples\emptydirectory