More on CIO.com

But Chrome has yet to replicate the extension of "add-on" features that allow normal users to embed more functionality on top of their browser, as Firefox has done so famously. Created by third-party developers, a typical add-on (or extension) might help you preview web-pages or view how many messages you have in your Gmail, for example.

Today, at the in San Francisco, , a Google developer, confirmed to attendees that Google has accelerated its efforts to create an ecosystem of add-ons that customize the Chrome browser. Boodman says that Google is adamant about maintaining Chrome's minimalist and elegant design, while allowing add-ons to streamline the ability for users to access their favorite apps and web-pages more quickly.

While the presentation was very developer-based, I picked out some things to expect for the first iteration of Google Chrome extensions, which remain in pre-alpha (a tech term for "awhile" if you're a normal end-user).

1. Extensions Will Help Keep Chrome Minimal.