Google Chrome for Mac just went live this morning, and now Google is announcing that the Google Chrome Extensions beta is open, too, with more than 300 extensions already available. Mac users, be forewarned, extensions only work for the Windows version of the Chrome browser.
According to Google's announcement on the release:
"Today, we're really happy to release a beta of extensions that begins to deliver on our initial vision. Extensions are as easy to create as webpages. Users can install and uninstall them quickly without restart, and extensions have a great polished look that fits in with Google Chrome's minimalist aesthetic. When developers upload an extension it is available to users immediately, with limited restrictions and manual reviews only in a few situations."
Today's release is huge news for existing Chrome users who have been anxiously awaiting a single repository to find and install extensions. While you'll no doubt notice that the 300 extensions available don't match the quality and quantity of existing Firefox extensions, the Chrome browser does offer one huge competitive advantage: no restart required for install or uninstall.
Watch this video for an explanation of how to manage and install extensions for Google Chrome: