Google has released a list of hand-picked 2021 Chrome extensions that will help people stay connected virtually, get things done, and have fun on the go. There are a total of 12 Chrome extensions that are divided into different categories – based on the features they offer. These browser add-ons are designed to let you do more with Chrome by providing improved productivity and personalized experiences. They are also free to download.
The list of Google’s favorite Chrome extensions of 2021 has four different categories, namely “Communicate and collaborate”, “Stay productive”, “Virtual learning” and “Make (and save) some change”. All of these categories include the extensions designed to help you stay virtually connected to Chrome.
Communicate and collaborate
One of the top Chrome extensions of 2021 chosen by Google is Loom. It allows you to record your screen, voice and face in videos that you can share with your new hires or clients to help them understand your work. It helps to reduce the effort required to type and explain various tasks.
The next extension in this category is Mote which allows you to add spoken comments and audio content to shared documents, assignments, emails and forms. You can also create voice memos from any website or app and share your voice memos as a QR code.
Google has also chosen Wordune as one of its favorite picks of 2021. The browser extension uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help you write more meaningful emails and documents and avoid mistakes.
Stay productive
Because it’s just as important these days to stay productive while working and studying from home, in addition to clear communication and virtual collaboration, Google has also listed a number of solutions for that part. One of the top picks in this category is Forest which self-motivates users and focuses on improving your productivity through the virtual planting and rewarding of trees.
Google has also named Dark Reader as one of its favorite Chrome extensions of the year. It helps you protect your eyes by applying a dark theme to the websites you visit in the browser. You can also adjust brightness, contrast, sepia filter, dark mode, and font settings. Furthermore, you can select certain sites not to go dark using an ignore list.
If you want to remove multiple tabs in your browser, Google has highlighted Tab Manager Plus that allows you to see all your active tabs in one view. You can also find duplicate tabs and limit tabs per window with the extension.
For anyone looking for an improved screenshot and screen video recorder, Google has mentioned Nimbus Screenshot and Screen Video Recorder. It allows users to take screenshots and record on-screen content that they can share across platforms.
virtual learning
Google’s top list of Chrome extensions includes add-ons that can facilitate virtual learning. One is Kami, which lets you create an interactive online learning space with PDFs, images, and documents under one roof. Teachers and students can also collaborate in real time using live annotations, video and audio recordings, and drawings. You can also bring student work from your preferred learning management system, such as Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoolology, and Microsoft Teams.
The next pick in this series is InsertLearning that allows educators to insert questions, discussions, and insights directly into any website. Students can go to that website and answer the questions and participate in discussions. They can also take notes while viewing the content taught by teachers.
If you want to learn a new language, Google has marked Toucan in the list of favorite extensions this year. The extension translates certain words and phrases on the web pages you visit into the language you are trying to learn. It works with a collection of languages including English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Korean and Hindi.
Google’s favorites in the virtual learning category also include Rememberry, which organizes vocabulary into flashcard decks for quick study.
Make (and save) some changes
To give your browsing experience a personal touch, Google has chosen Stylus as one of the extensions to personalize Chrome. It allows you to build and install custom themes and skins for the websites you most enjoy visiting. Next in the list of Google’s favorite extensions is Rakuten, which helps you find coupons and agencies on the web and serves as an assistant when shopping online.
Notably, Google didn’t provide details on the criteria it used to pick the favorite Chrome extensions of the year. However, it has created a special page in the Chrome Web Store to list all of its favorite extensions in one place.
