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Google To Block Local Chrome Extensions On Windows Starting In January

An anonymous reader writes "Google today announced it will block local Chrome extensions starting in January, but only on the Windows platform. This means that next year, Windows users will only be able to install extensions for the company's browser from the Chrome Web Store. The changes will affect both Chrome's stable and beta channels on Windows. Google says it will continue to support local extension installs on its Dev and Canary channels, as well as installs via Enterprise policy. Chrome apps are not affected at all and will continue to be supported normally."

2 of 260 comments (clear)

  1. Walled Garden: One brick at a time.... by EvilSS · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Did Google recently buy a brick factory because they seem to be trying to slowly build a wall around their not-quite-as-open-as-it-once-was garden. Between this and some of the stuff they are pulling with Android (Play Store, API lock-ins) and Chromecast they seem to be all about turning down the openness lately. Come to think of it, that seems to be a trend (Skype, Twitter APIs off the top of my head, then of course that fruit company) lately.

    --
    I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
  2. Re:I stopped using Chrome by Lee_Dailey · · Score: 4, Interesting

    howdy y'all,

    the google folks are aware of the upcoming "australis" abomination and are not worried about firefox at all. [*sigh ...*]

    the firefox devs are crippling the addon system, crippling the customization system, removing the addon bar/status bar, blocking putting icons anywhere other than on the navigation toolbar, and generally ripping out the things that make firefox so completely customizable.

    all this in the name of "simplicity" and "making customization more accessible to more users".

    actually, it's being done in the name of stripping out things they don't like to maintain while still adding all that developer tools stuff that otta be in an extension.

    i suspect that i will switch to seamonkey when australis comes out on firefox.

    take care,
    lee