We all love Google Chrome to surf the net. As an added fun and functionality, Google Code Labs have came up with something very interesting called “Google Chrome Extensions” and there is an array of such extensions available to suit your kind-a-needs.

Now, what are Google Chrome Extensions?

Extensions are small software programs that can modify and enhance the functionality of Google Chrome. You write them using web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

Though there are hundreds of Chrome Extensions are available from the Google Chrome Extension Site, still we have handpicked some 12 Extensions to share with you.

Lets Check them out !

Google Mail Checker Plus:

Displays the number of unread messages in your Gmail and Google Apps inbox. Preview mail, read, delete, archive and mark as spam!

Google Translate:

This extension translates entire webpages into a language of your choice with one click. This extension adds a button to your browser toolbar. Click the translate icon whenever you want to translate the page you’re visiting.

The extension also automatically detects if the language of a page you’re on is different from the language you’re using for your Google Chrome interface. If it is, a banner appears at the top of the page. Click the Translate button in the banner to have all the text on the page appear in the new language.

Learn more about Google Translate at http://translate.google.com/support/?hl=en

Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer (by Google):

Automatically previews pdfs, powerpoint presentations, and other documents in Google Docs Viewer. This one is one of the very popular extensions of Chrome.

Google Buzz Notifier:

With the launch of Google Buzz, here comes quickly the Chrome Extension as well. This one is one of the coolest new member of Google Chrome Extensions. With this check your Buzz right from Google Chrome!

Webpage Screenshot:

Fast & Simple solution to save JPG screenshots of any webpage. The first extension that captures the whole page. Fast & Simple extension to capture the whole webpage. Even long pages are saved in one image file. This extension lets you save PNG image of any webpage. Designers can choose to resize the window before capturing.

It works as a local extension. It means that the extension doesn’t send ANYTHING to any server. It can work even when there is no internet connection.

Feedly:

Feedly organizes your favorite sources in a magazine-like start page. A magazine-like startpage. A fast and stylish way to read and share the content of your favorite sites and services. Provides seamless integration with Google Reader, Twitter, Delicious, YouTube and Amazon.

RSS Subscription Extension:

This extension auto-detects RSS feeds on the page you are reading and upon finding one will display an RSS icon in the Omnibox, allowing you to click on it to preview the feed content and subscribe.

The extension comes with 4 feed readers predefined (Google Reader, iGoogle, Bloglines and My Yahoo) but also allows you to add any web-based feed reader of your choice to the list.

Google Dictionary:

With this extension, you can:

1) Double-click any word to view its definition in a small pop-up bubble.

2) View the complete definition of any word or phrase using the address bar dictionary.

Both features are configurable via the options page.

One Number:

This “One Number” checker extensions and you think that your Chrome toolbar is just a little too crowded, and you want to free up some of those buttons but you can’t bear to sacrifice the functionality.  What if you could gather your favorite Google services into one button… the unread counts into One Number?

One Number offers previews of unread items, a UI that fits with Chrome, the ability to selectively choose which services you want to check with One Number, and two-click access to open all services with unead items at once.

Orkut Chrome Extension:

The orkut chrome extension allows you to receive orkut updates and scrap notifications. The popup menu allows you to quickly jump to a friends’ page, search on orkut, visit your home/scrap/photos pages and share sites on orkut.

Have fun really! With Chrome Orkut Extension, your Orkut friends are even more closer, Isn’t it?

Blog This (by Google):

Add a BlogThis! button to the browser toolbar, which lets you post to your Blogger blog from any webpage with just one click.

Once you add the BlogThis! button to your browser toolbar, blogging will be a snap (or rather, a click). Click the button to open Blogger in a new application window. The new post is pre-populated with a link to the web page you’re on, as well as any text you’ve highlighted on that page. Edit the post to your liking and post it instantly to your blog!

Google Voice Extension (by Google):

Notifies you of new messages and gives you quick access to calling and free SMS via Google Voice. It adds a button to the toolbar, which displays the number of unread messages in your Google Voice inbox.

Please note that SMS is only available for accounts with a Google Number. SMS is not available in voicemail only accounts.

Overall, please note that when installing the extension it says “This extension will have access to all browsing history and private data on all websites” This is the default warning for any extension that needs content script access to all websites. These extensions does not collect any data about any website.

Guys, hope you will enjoy installing and working with these Google Chrome Extensions. Don’t miss out RSS Subscription to get updated with some more exciting stuff !

We all love Google Chrome to surf the net. As an added fun and functionality, Google Code Labs have came up with something very interesting called “Google Chrome Extensions” and there is an array of such extensions available to suit your kind-a-needs.

Google Voice: An internet based telecommunication service

Its telecommunication, that Google has been experimenting with in recent pasts. Google voice is a service or application that integrates all your phone no.s into one and takes away the worries of managing many contact no.s. Originally, it was GrandCentral, who started the service but Google acquired GrandCentral in 2007 and re-launched the service on 11^th March 2009 with the name Google Voice.

This service is available as invite only. When you sign up for Google Voice first time you can choose between your any of the present numbers and a new Google number as the single point of contact. The calls coming on this no. are forwarded to other phone numbers that user configures while signing up. Depending upon the caller group, calling time and calling number you can decide which number should ring when.

With this as the basic feature let’s have a look at what else Google voice has to offer us:

• It offers free calls and SMS in US and Canada
• International calls are US $ 0.02 per minute. Can it get cheaper than this?
• Call Screening :

1. You can divert calls directly to voicemail box.
2. Notification or announcement of callers based on their numbers.
3. Blocking calls from specified numbers and automated identification for blocked numbers.

• You can record your calls and archive it online.
• Voicemail transcripts: You can view your voicemails as messages online or you can listen to them on any of the phone numbers.
• Voicemail messages are notified through SMS and e-mail.
• Voicemails can be forwarded and downloaded also.
• Based on the calling number we can set personalized greetings for the caller.
• It also provides the facility of conference calls.
• While a call is in progress you can switch phones without disrupting the call.
• Caller’s id is also forwarded along with the incoming call to your various phones.
• When you make a call, you need to make it through the Google Voice service by calling Google Voice no. and using menu choices or by using the web-based portal to place a call.

This unique concept of centralized number is only available in US as of now but Google has given indications about launching it in other countries as well.

Microsoft, as an answer to Google Voice is planning to launch Bing Ring in January 2010 in a limited beta version.

Keep reading to know more about Bing Ring….