Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
1–10 of 71 posts
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#2Just for Windows users.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#3actual source instead of useless techcrunch filler: http://blog.chromium.org/2013/11/protecting-windows-users-fr...
Wasn't this already largely the case? You have to manually download extensions and then drag them into the extensions manager to install them outside the store right now, don't you?
The only change here seems to be that now you need a checked "Developer mode" box in order for that to work. I guess that discourages randomly checking the box, but if they had just labelled it "Allow third party extensions" it would make the change seem less overbearing.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#4Another day, another step closer to Apple.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#5actual source instead of useless techcrunch filler: http://blog.chromium.org/2013/11/protecting-windows-users-fr... Wasn't this already largely the case? You have to manually download extensions and then drag them into the extensions manager to install them outside the store right now, don't you? The only change here seems to be that now you need a checked "Developer mode" box in order for that to work. I guess that…
Developer mode only allows installing unpacked extensions, no?
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#6Naturally, extensions that block certain kinds of Google ads (such as Youtube ads) are not allowed in the Chrome Web Store.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#7Another day, another step closer to Apple.
Presumably Chromium has no such restriction.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#8Let's start betting on when Google starts to squeeze ad blockers through feature changes or right out of the web store.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#9Just for Windows users.
So far.
I believe that part of Goog's motivation is to stop malware, but part of their motivation is platform control. I just don't know the proportion.
Re: Google to reject Chrome extensions outside of Chrome Web Store
#10There's a comment on the Chromium blog [1] (via magicalist's comment [2]) that nails this: if security is all they cared about, a signed certificate is all that's necessary.
Knowing that option exists and persisting with their store-only approach means they must have an ulterior motive of some sort, most likely control and money. Ad blockers that target Google Ads will be no more, as well as anything else that the user might want to use to subvert or circumvent. Extensions will also have to adhere to Google's moral code, and developers will once again be beholden to a greater authority in order to operate their business.
Just like with Facebook and the Apple app store, if you build a business on Google Chrome Extensions you now face having the plug pulled at any time for any reason, with absolutely no recourse.
[1] http://blog.chromium.org/2013/11/protecting-windows-users-fr...